TO ADD, REMOVE, OR CHANGE SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE HANDLED ON A REGULAR BASIS BY VOLUNTEERS, BUT ARE NOT PROCESSED *IMMEDIATELY*, SO PLEASE BE PATIENT IF YOU HAVE ASKED FOR A CHANGE IN YOUR SUBSCRIPTION STATUS. THANKS. [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 17, 1994 * The President and First Lady made a strong case for health care reform in speeches in Edison, New Jersey. Before an audience of more than 2,000 older Americans, the first couple explained the benefits of the President's approach to health care reform. The President said: "We ought to be taking care of each other. We shouldn't pit the old against the young or the middle-aged. And we have a way to do it. It just requires us to undertake the pain of making thousands of separate tough decisions that will have to disappoint some people in the present system. But if we reform health care, we can achieve these savings without cutting benefits to the elderly; we can reduce the deficit without cutting Medicare. That's what we ought to do." * In keeping with outlining specifics of the President's benefits to older Americans, we focus today on prescription drug coverage. * "Any doctor who deals with the elderly will tell you that there are many elderly people who don't get medicine, who get sicker and sicker and eventually go to the doctor and wind up spending more money and draining more money from the health care system than they would if they had regular treatment in the way that only adequate medicine can provide." -- President Clinton, speech to a Joint Session of Congress, September 22, 1993 * Older Americans are hurt by high drug prices and no prescription drug coverage. Between 1980 and 1992, while the general inflation rate increased by 22 percent, drug prices increased 128 percent. For 3 out of 4 older Americans, prescription drugs are the highest out of pocket health care cost. Nearly two thirds of Americans over the age of 65 have no prescription drug coverage, and over eight million older Americans are forced to choose between buying food and medicine. * Prescription drug coverage will reduce overall costs in the long-run. Many older Americans and others are hospitalized today because their lack of prescription drug coverage means that they can't afford to get the medication they need. In fact, one study says that problems related to medication lie at the root of 25 percent of all hospitalizations of older patients -- and costs more than $21 billion a year. * Medicare recipients will be guaranteed prescription drug coverage for the first time. Medicare beneficiaries will have 80 percent coverage for their medications after they reach a $250 deductible. A $1,000 annual cap will be placed on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, with costs above this amount fully covered. Patients will receive counseling from their pharmacist on what medications are most appropriate.