[HEALTH CARE REFORM TODAY IS A DAILY (APPROXIMATELY) BRIEFING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND OTHER SUPPORTERS OF ITS HEALTH-CARE REFORM PACKAGE. THIS GIVES AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ITS OWN PLAN. THIS ITEM WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE SUBJECT: Health Care Reform Today SO YOU CAN EASILY SKIP IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ IT. -- STEVE FREEDKIN, LIST.HEALTHPLAN ADMINISTRATOR ------ The White House Health Care Reform Today October 28, 1993 * President Clinton yesterday: "Let's start with this bill and start with this plan, and give the American people what they deserve --comprehensive universal coverage. That's what we got hired to do --to solve the problems of the people and to take this country into the 21st century." "... when it is over, we must have achieved comprehensive health care security for all Americans, or the endeavor will not have been worth the effort. That is what we owe the American people." * The President's plan will be fully implemented by the end of 1997. For clarity and accuracy, the bill will be fully implemented by the end of 1997. There have been changes in the pace of the implementation within the three years, but the full implementation deadline remains the end of 1997. * Many are distorting the President's limit on individual payments at 3.9 percent of income, implying that everyone will pay 3.9 percent of their income for health care. WRONG. The 3.9 percent cap was needed to protect some low income individuals who would not qualify for insurance discounts. Most Americans will pay only between 1 - 2 percent of income. For most Americans who are now insured, this will be the same or less than they are currently paying for the same or better benefits. * The President's Health Security Plan provides insurance discounts to small businesses and low income families and individuals to help them afford health security. To ensure the most responsible financing possible and to ensure against the kinds of out-of-control and automatic spending increases we've seen in government programs historically, the President's plan sets limits on the amount of these discounts that could be provided before a trigger forces Congress to take action. These caps represent the President's strong commitment to financial responsibility, to a sound plan that will ensure every American is guaranteed comprehensive benefits that can never be taken away. * There was a typographical error in the table of contents in the legislation delivered to Capitol Hill today. There are no sections reserved for later legislative language. The bill delivered today is the complete contents of the President's Health Security Act of 1993. Any accusation or statement made otherwise is done so knowing full and well that it is inaccurate.