This is a daily briefing sent out by the White House to its spokespersons and allies regarding health-care reform. It gives an inside glimpse of how the Administration is lobbying for its program. -- Steve Freedkin ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The White House Health Care Reform Today October 8, 1993 * Connecticut poll numbers look good for the President. The Quinnipiac College Connecticut poll shows the President's favorable and very favorable numbers add up to 62%. Support for health security for all Americans is at 85.5%. * Dr. C. Everett Koop, on the road in Pennsylvania, said yesterday that the current medical coverage system just isn't working and has to be reformed....now: "It's just too many things that are bad for too many people. We are really on a deep slide down." He continued his words of support for the President's health care plan, saying: "Health care has always been a political no- man's land. This President is pretty much staking his presidency on health care. He's willing to take the risk." * Senator Bill Bradley, speaking yesterday to the Center for National Policy, echoed what the President has been saying...that every American worker should have guaranteed health care. He calls it an "economic security platform." We look forward to working with Senator Bradley to provide health security for all Americans. * Work continues on the legislative package to be presented to Capitol Hill. We've taken seriously the constructive comments made by legislators and outside experts. We feel it is critical to make sure constructive changes are instituted in a careful and thoughtful way. We're continuing to look at the final legislative package being ready within a few weeks. * We're also taking the President seriously about health care here in the Delivery Room. That's why you won't see a copy of Health Reform Today on your desk Monday. It's a holiday. We're going to observe as much of it as possible and recharge! We hope everyone else does the same! Have a restful and safe holiday and we'll see you Tuesday.