[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 17, 1994 As the legislative process moves forward, the President, First Lady, members of the Cabinet and others will continue to talk to the American people about how the President's approach works and how it benefits American families. Here's how the President's health reform works: Guaranteed private insurance. We want to guarantee private insurance coverage to every American. Comprehensive coverage that can never be taken away. Choice. We want everyone to have the right to choose their own doctor and their own health plan. We want to make sure you get high-quality care by giving you the choice, not your boss or insurance company. Outlaw unfair insurance practices. We want to make it illegal for insurance companies to: drop coverage or cut benefits; jack up your rates if you get sick; use lifetime limits to cut off your benefits; or charge older people more than younger. That's how you'll get affordable insurance you can depend on. Preserve Medicare. We will protect and strengthen Medicare. Older Americans have a right to count on Medicare and choose their doctor. We also want to cover prescription drugs under Medicare, and give new options for long- term care in the home and community. Health benefits guaranteed at work. Every job should come with health benefits. Most jobs do today. And yet 8 out of 10 Americans who have no insurance are in working families. We want everyone to have health benefits guaranteed at work. The government will provide discounts for small businesses and help cover the unemployed.