[THE FOLLOWING IS THE PERIODIC BRIEFING ON HEALTH-CARE REFORM SENT OUT BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO SUPPORTERS OF ITS PROGRAM, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND OTHERS. IT PROVIDES AN "INSIDE LOOK" AT HOW THE WHITE HOUSE IS PROMOTING ITS PLAN. THESE BRIEFINGS WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE SUBJECT: HEALTH CARE REFORM TODAY , SO YOU MAY EASILY SKIP THEM IF YOU DON'T WISH TO READ THEM. -- Steve Freedkin , LIST.HEALTHPLAN Administrator] The White House Health Care Reform Today January 4, 1994 * Happy New Year!! The beginning of each new year provides us with a time to reflect on the year that was, and to look forward to the year ahead. We would like to begin where we ended...by working together with all interested parties to insure that health care reform finally happens. * President Clinton achieved a number of important legislative successes in 1993-- including the budget agreement, the Family and Medical Leave Act, National Service, NAFTA, and the Brady Bill. The passage of the Health Security Act of 1993 will add to that impressive list. * Looking to the year ahead, the President met yesterday with his Cabinet and top health care staff to chart the course for 1994's major legislative focus: comprehensive health care reform. And the President predicted that this will be the year when Americans -- all Americans-- will at long last have health care security and affordability. * President Clinton: "I believe that 1994 will go down in history as the year when, after decades and decades of false starts and lame excuses and being overcome by special interests, the American people finally -- finally had health care security for all." * "This will be a year when we attempt to fix what's broken with our health care system, keep what's right, to emphasize the program that we outlined of guaranteed private insurance for every American, comprehensive benefits that can never be taken away." * "I believe that, together, we can solve this great riddle which has bedeviled our country for too many years now, strengthen our economy and restore a great sense of security to the American people." * Here's a point to remember when you are asked about health care and welfare reform. One of the primary reasons people stay on welfare is to retain health care benefits for themselves, and mainly for their children. With comprehensive health care that can never be taken away, the primary foundation for welfare reform will be in place. Without real health care reform, there can be no real welfare reform.