[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 January 24, 1994 * Tomorrow night, President Clinton will address the nation in his first State of the Union speech. Health care reform will be the centerpiece of the speech. * After waiting for 60 years, after waiting through succession of Presidents and Congresses, middle class Americans can no longer wait for health security. Their interests will not be served by tinkering at the margins. * Tomorrow night, the President will make it clear...welfare and health care reform can both be done this year....and they must be. * Politics, gridlock, and partisan positioning can no longer keep us from accomplishing what is within our grasp; health care reform that guarantees security to all Americans. * IF WE DO NOTHING: Every American can expect to pay more every year with no guarantee that their health care will be there when they need it. * One of every four Americans will lose their insurance at some point in the next two years. * Almost $1 out of every $5 Americans spend will go to health care, and American families will be charged $14,000 a year for health care. * Millions of Americans will find that rising costs will force their firms to cut back on benefits and limit choices of doctors and health plans. * By the year 2000, workers will lose over $600 in real wages to rising health costs. * Over the next five years, health spending will rise to consume 20 percent of the Federal budget. * 30% of small businesses will be forced to drop coverage for their employees because of the high cost.