The White House
Health Care Reform Today
November 15, 1993
- Under the Health Security Act, all children
are guaranteed comprehensive health care coverage.
That means 9.5 million children under age 18 who are
currently uninsured will be covered.
- Numerous studies have shown that mothers who
receive early and continuous prenatal care are more
likely to give birth to healthy babies. The Health
Security Act furnishes complete prenatal care at no
cost to families. The Health Security Act invests in
keeping Americans healthy. By providing treatment
early and by emphasizing preventive care, we help keep
people healthy and keep our health care costs down.
- The Health Security Act benefits include full
coverage of well-baby care, immunizations and
preventive services, also at no additional charge, to
help ensure that our children get off to a healthy
start. Today, these services are covered by only
about one-third of private insurance plans.
- While our current system provides coverage for
many low-income women and children through Medicaid,
many have difficulty finding providers who will treat
them for the low rates paid by the Medicaid program.
Under the Health Security Act, low-income families
have the same choice of plans as other families in
their area. Premium discounts and assistance with
cost-sharing keep out-of-pocket costs within the means
of families with limited incomes.
- Children who are now covered by Medicaid will
continue to be covered. In addition, they will be
eligible for wrap-around services. These services are
currently covered under Medicaid but are not included
under the comprehensive benefits package. Wrap-around
services guarantee that such services remain available
to Medicaid recipients to supplement the comprehensive
benefits package. This will preserve coverage for
medically necessary services, expand coverage for
physical and mental health services and maintain
coverage for support services such as transportation
and case management.
- The Health Security Act also calls for
additional funds for the supplemental food program for
women, infants and children (WIC). The President's
proposal authorizes $250 million for WIC in 1996,
increasing to $411 million by the year 2000. This is
part of the Act's overall emphasis on preventing
illness before it happens.