The White House
Health Care Reform Today
September 28, 1993
- To set the record straight: The Health
Security Act of 1993 covers mammograms for women of
any age whenever she and her doctor agree they are
necessary or appropriate. For women over age 50
screening mammograms administered every other year
are covered with no co-payment or deductible. This
is based on a study by the U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force, which determined the best
timetables for several types of screening tests.
For women of any age who require annual
screenings, mammograms will be covered just like
any other diagnostic service if a physician finds
them necessary or appropriate. Sunday, former NIH
chief, Dr. Bernadine Healy questioned the plan's
approach to such screenings. It is shameful that
Dr. Healy would make this charge when the NIH,
under her leadership, recommended this screening
schedule. As a physician, she should be appalled
at using fear to frighten women on this issue.
And, she knowingly misquoted the Clinton plan.
That must be the difference between being a doctor
and being a candidate.
- Those opposed to health care reform are making
an argument that there will be a complicated new
federal bureaucracy. It's just not true. The
National Health Board will consist of seven members
appointed by the President with the advice and
consent of the Senate. The National Health Board
will assume certain responsibilities for
administering the new health care system, while
existing federal agencies assume others. The Board
will:
- Sets national standards for state plans
and ensures access to health care for all
Americans.
- Interprets and updates the comprehensive
benefits and recommends to the President and
Congress changes in the health care system.
- Establishes a new performance-based
quality management program and develops valid
measures of health outcomes to be used in annual
performance reports for health plans.
- Develops and implements standards for a
national health information system, using a
public-private network to support quality
improvement and collects enrollment data and
comparative information about cost.
- Implements the safety net of
the national health budget.
- The Board will not have a large staff and it's
power will be limited. It will set standards and
let the market and private sector run the system.