[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 March 4, 1994 Opponents of comprehensive reform keep trying to convince the American public that we don't need to guarantee all Americans universal coverage. They suggest that all we need are some small, incremental reforms to expand access. Why do we need universal coverage? We must guarantee health security -- no matter what: Real health security means guaranteed private insurance with comprehensive health benefits that can never be taken away. This is possible only with universal coverage. We need to be able to say to people who work hard and play by the rules: you will never lose your insurance. Even if you lose your job. Even if you start a small business. Even if you get sick. Even if your child gets sick. No matter what -- you're covered. Universal coverage is essential to controlling costs: Without universal coverage, too many will continue to get care from emergency rooms instead of doctors' offices -- because they couldn't afford preventive care or a doctor visit, and their illnesses became more severe. A new study out this week found that more than half of the 90 million people who showed up in emergency rooms didn't need emergency care. Secretary of Health and Human Services said: "Emergency rooms have become the family doctor for too many Americans." When people with minor health problems have a $900 emergency room visit in place of $90 doctor's office visit, we have a system that costs too much and treats people too late. This study proves that when every American has a personal physician and coverage for preventive care, emergency rooms will treat fewer stomach cramps, coughs, and flus and more actual emergencies. This will improve care and save money. One health policy expert writes that "only with universality can we eliminate the practice of making patients with insurance pay the medical costs of those without it." Today, some low-wage workers go on welfare just to get health benefits. Universal coverage will put an end to this practice, reducing what we spend on welfare. One study suggests that universal coverage could reduce welfare cases by up to 25 percent. Universal coverage is necessary to simplify the system: Savings from simplifying and reducing the bureaucracy can't be realized without universal coverage. For example, a single claims form doesn't work unless everyone is in the system and following the same rules. In a changing job market, people need security: American workers change jobs often and more and more companies use temporary or part-time workers, we need universal coverage to make sure no one will ever lose their health insurance. Even if people are without insurance for just a few months, during that time they are just an illness or injury away from financial catastrophe. Why not just Universal Access? We have to ask "What does universal access mean to the American people?" As the President says, today we all have access to a Mercedes., But that won't get us out of the car dealership with a new car. And it won't guarantee all Americans private health insurance that can never be taken away.