[THIS IS THE DAILY BRIEFING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO ITS OFFICIALS AND OTHER SUPPORTERS OF ITS HEALTH-REFORM PROGRAM. IT PROVIDES AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROMOTING ITS PLAN. THIS ITEM WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME SUBJECT LINE (WITH DIFFERENT DATES) SO YOU CAN EASILY SKIP IT IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO READ IT.] The White House Health Care Reform Today September 27, 1993 * This week, the White House will continue to talk about the Health Security Act of 1993 with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton testifying on Capitol Hill. Following are talking points on details of the Act that you can use throughout this week: * Emphasizes preventive care. The Health Security plan puts a new emphasis on preventing illness before it becomes a medical crisis. Prevention will improve the quality of care by helping people stay healthy rather than treating them after they get sick. The benefits package fully pays for a wide range of preventive services; the vast majority of today's insurance plans don't cover a penny. * Gives consumers the power to judge the quality of care. Consumers will receive quality "report cards" that provide information on the performance of health care plans and patient satisfaction. These report cards will hold health plans accountable for meeting high standards. The National Quality Program will help states share information on health plan performance. * Reforms malpractice. The President's proposal will limit lawyers' fees in order to discourage frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits. It will also encourage patients and doctors to use alternative forms of dispute resolution before they end up in court. This will help eliminate the "defensive medicine" that drives up costs and hurts quality -- doctors ordering extra tests because they fear lawyers looking over their shoulders. * Encourages cooperation in rural and urban areas. Rural residents will have access to the latest technology and emergency services through telecommunications links set up between local doctors and advanced networks of specialists and hospitals. In urban areas, the plan will increase investment in public hospitals and community health centers. The health security plan will give financial breaks to doctors and nurses who work in underserved rural and urban areas. It will expand the National Health Service Corps. Two of three rural counties today do not have enough doctors and 111 rural counties have no physician at all.