[THIS IS THE PERIODIC 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. -- Steve Freedkin , LIST.HEALTHPLAN Administrator] The White House Health Care Reform Today February 11, 1994 * We'll leave you with this thought: The fundamental premise of the President's approach to health reform is that we can guarantee private insurance to every American and still reduce the amount the nation spends on health care. This week, the Congressional Budget Office was the second independent source (Lewin-VHI was the first) to completely validate that premise. * USA Today summed it up: The CBO report said the President's approach: "will provide insurance coverage for all Americans, reverse the tide of soaring health-care costs, yield long-term deficit reduction, reduce costs to business by $90 billion, raise wages for employees, offer a greater choice of doctors and result in negligible job loss." [USA Today, 2/10/94] * American workers will get higher wages from the President's approach. "The vast preponderance of that money will be returned to workers in the form of higher wages . . . " [AP, 2/9/94] * Businesses will save substantially under the President's approach. "[The President's proposal] would sharply reduce the growth of employer spending for health insurance. By 2004, employers would save about $90 billion for active workers and more than $15 billion for early retirees... " ["Analysis of the Administration's Health Proposal", CBO, 2/9/94] * American families will benefit from the President's approach. "The Clinton plan, when compared to today's system, would cost average Americans less money, give them more health benefits and more choice of physicians and medical care, [Reischauer] said." [Priest and Rich, Washington Post, 2/9/94] * The President's approach will lead to deficit reduction. "[Reischauer said] significant deficit reduction will be achieved by 2004." [UPI, 2/9/94] * The President's approach will save America money "Once the administration's proposal was fully implemented it would significantly reduce the projected growth of national health expenditures." [CBO, 2/9/94, p. 26] * It is important to remember that the process for health care reform is now in the hands of Congress. Through the committee process, they will craft a bill to send to the floor. They know the President will not sign any bill that does not guarantee private health insurance that can never be taken away. They also know that the President wants his proposal to pay for itself and reduce the deficit. We have also made it clear that we'll will be flexible on the details.