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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Health Care Task Force
Series/Staff Member:
Goldblatt
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
9945
FolderlD:
Segment 3
Folder Title:
[HCIC [Health Care Information Center] Health Care Reform HRC Fonn Letters] [binder]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
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53
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�HCIC
Health Care Reform
HRC Form Letters
�HEALTH REFORM:
THE PRESIDENTS APPROACH
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 longterm care in the home and community.
Health benefits guaranteed at work. Every job should come with health
benefits. Most jobs do today, yet 8 out of 10 Americans who have no health
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.
�GUARANTEED PRIVATE INSURANCE
The President's proposal will guarantee every American private health
insurance. Comprehensive coverage that can never be taken away:
* Benefits as good as what America's biggest companies
offer and as good as what members of Congress get.
Your benefits will include prescription drugs and
preventive care - - things often not covered today.
* Protection against the devastating costs of serious
illness. That means a low deductible and no lifetime
limits on your benefits.
�CHOICE OF DOCTOR
a d HEALTH PLAN
n
Under the President's plan, you will
* Choose your doctor
and
* Choose your health plan
We want to make sure you get high quality care by giving you the
choice, not your boss or insurance company.
If we do nothing, rising costs will force more and
more employers to limit your choice of plan
and doctor.
You'll be able to follow your doctor to any plan you choose:
* a plan where you can see any doctor in your community
— they call these "fee-for-service" plans
* a network of doctors and hospitals (PPO plans)
* or an HMO
Let's be clear: we're against forcing people into HMO's That's
why the President's approach expands your choices.
�OUTLAW UNFAIR INSURANCE PRACTICES
We need a system of coverage that guarantees affordable insurance
people can depend on. That's why the President's reform makes sure
that insurance company premiums can't continue to skyrocket.
And it will be illegal for insurance companies to:
drop coverage or cur back benefits
jack up your rates if you get sick
use lifetime limits to cut off your benefits
charge older people more than younger
If we do nothing, you will continue to be at the
mercy of the insurance companies.... and
continue to pay more and get less.
Insurance ought to mean what it used to mean. You pay a fair price
for security, and when you're sick, your health care is there for you.
�PROTECT MEDICARE
The President believes very strongly that the true
test of health care reform is whether it's good for
older Americans. That's why his proposal
preserves and protects Medicare.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) say the
President's approach is the "best option for senior citizens."
Older Americans will have:
* the right to choose their doctor
* new prescription drug coverage
* some long term care protection
The President wants to make sure that every penny of Medicare
money is used for seniors. But others want to take Medicare
money away from seniors.
�HEALTH BENEFITS GUARANTEED
AT WORK
We want everyone who works to get health insurance
at work, with employers and employees each paying
a part of the cost.
This is the easiest, simplest way to make sure everyone has
coverage, because:
* This approach builds on what works. Today, the vast majority of Americans
with private insurance get it through their employer.
* Eight out of ten people without health insurance are in working families.
Today people on welfare get guarantee^ health insurance, but people with
jobs may or may not be covered. That's wrong. People who work should
have health insurance.
So anyone who works will get coverage at work. Employers will be asked to
contribute, as well as employees. The President's approach also protects small
businesses. The President wants to provide discounts for small businesses and
full tax deductibility for people who work for themselves.
The government will cover the unemployed and will continue to cover older
Americans with Medicare.
�Health Care Reform Information Center
Coding Sheet
Revised 5/13/94
1. GUARANTEED PRIVATE INSURANCE AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
CH
CV
CV
CV
HP
LC
MC
MH
110
100
13 0
18 0
120
140
150
100
Children with D i s a b i l i t e s
Coverage-- d e s c r i b e s b e n e f i t s package
Coverage f o r P a r t Time Workers
Longterm and Community Care
D e n t a l and O r t h o d o n t i c Coverage
Adults with D i s a b i l i t i e s
P r e s c r i p t i o n Drugs
Mental h e a l t h
2. QUALITY AND CHOICE
CC 100
< CC 140
CN 10 0
HP 110
QC 100
Consumer Choice o f d o c t o r s and h e a l t h p l a n s
P r o v i d e r Choice
Confidentiality
H e a l t h Care P r o f e s s i o n a l s - - C h i r o p r a c t o r s
Q u a l i t y Care
COST ISSUES
AR
IN
PW
MA
„ MC
MC
MC
MC
ST
SV
J
100
100
100
100
100
12 0
180
190
100
100
A n t i - t r u s t Reform
I n s u r a n c e Reform
Paperwork: S t r e a m l i n i n g
M a l p r a c t i c e & T o r t Reform
M e d i c a l Cost C o n t a i n m e n t (General)
Fraud and Abuse
M e d i c a l Cost-- Low Income Subsidy
M e d i c a l Costs - I n d i v i d u a l Premium
S i n Tax
Cost S a v i n g s and U.S. c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s
SENIORS & GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
GP
GP
4 GP
GP
\PC
SN
SY
TR
120
13 0
150
170
100
100
100
100
CHAMPUS- - M i l i t a r y B e n e f i c i a r i e s
FEHBP-- F e d e r a l Employees
Medicaid
VA H e a l t h Care ( V e t e r a n s )
P r e s i d e n t and Congress
Senior C i t i z e n s
S i n g l e Payer system-- S t a t e s o p t i o n t o choose i t
T r a n s i t i o n t o new h e a l t h care system
�Health Care Reform Information Center
Coding Sheet
Revised 5/13/94
5. WORKPLACE
GP
LE
SB
SE
UN
WC
110
100
100
100
100
100
COBRA
Large Employers
Small b u s i n e s s e s
S e l f Employed
Unions
Workers Compensation
6. PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS
HE
PH
PH
PH
PH
PH
SD
RE
US
US
UP
100
110
130
140
170
180
100
100
100
110
100
H e a l t h E d u c a t i o n (General)
Adolescent
AIDS/HIV
M i n o r i t y Groups-- American I n d i a n
M i n o r i t y Groups-Latinos/Hispanics
Women's h e a l t h i s s u e s , i n c l u d i n g b r e a s t cancer
College students
Research
M i g r a n t and Community H e a l t h C e n t e r s
U n d e r s e r v e d Communities ( r u r a l o n l y )
Undocumented P e r s o n s / I l l e g a l Immigranns
100
101
100
100
100
H e a l t h Care Reform G e n e r a l
H e a l t h Care Reform G e n e r a l ( s u p p o r t i v e )
Heartfelt
Request f o r I n f o r m a t i o n
Views and S u g g e s t i o n s ( g e n e r a l )
OTHER
HR
HR
HF
RI
VS
�Health Care Reform Information Center
Coding Sheet
Revised 5/13/94
1. GUARANTEED PRIVATE INSURANCE AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
CH.110
CV 100
CV 13 0
CV 18 0
HP 120
LC 140
MC 150
MH 100
Children with D i s a b i l i t e s
Coverage-- d e s c r i b e s b e n e f i t s package
Coverage f o r P a r t Time Workers
Longterm and Community Care
D e n t a l and O r t h o d o n t i c Coverage
Adults with D i s a b i l i t i e s
P r e s c r i p t i o n Drugs
Mental h e a l t h
2. QUALITY AND CHOICE
CC
CC
CN
HP
QC
Consumer Choice o f d o c t o r s and h e a l t h p l a n s
100
P r o v i d e r Choice
140
Confidentiality
10 0
-Health Care P r o f e s s i o n a l s - - C h i r o p r a c t o r s
110
100 ' Q u a l i t y Care
3. COST ISSUES
AR
IN
PW
MA
MC
MC
MC
MC
ST
SV
100
100
100
100
100
12 0
180
190100
100
A n t i - t r u s t Reform
I n s u r a n c e Reform
Paperwork: S t r e a m l i n i n g
M a l p r a c t i c e & T o r t Reform
M e d i c a l Cost Containment (General)
Fraud and Abuse
M e d i c a l Cost-- Low Income Subsidy
M e d i c a l Costs - I n d i v i d u a l Premium
S i n Tax
Cost Savings and U.S. c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s
SENIORS & GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
GP
GP
GP
GP
PC
SN
SY
TR
120
13 0
150
170
100
100
100
100
CHAMPUS- - M i l i t a r y B e n e f i c i a r i e s
FEHBP-- F e d e r a l Employees
Medicaid
VA H e a l t h Care (Veterans)
P r e s i d e n t and Congress
Senior C i t i z e n s
S i n g l e Payer system-- S t a t e s o p t i o n t o choose i t
T r a n s i t i o n t o new h e a l t h care system
�i
••I
Health Care Reform Information Center
Coding Sheet
Revised 5/13/94
5. WORKPLACE
GP
LE
SB
SE
UN
WC
110
100
100
100
100
100
COBRA
Large Employers
Small b u s i n e s s e s
S e l f Employed
Unions
Workers Compensation
6. PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS
HE
PH
PH
PH
PH
PH
SD
RE
US
US
UP
100
110
130
140
170
180
100
100
100
110
100
H e a l t h E d u c a t i o n (General)
Adolescent
AIDS/HIV
M i n o r i t y Groups-- American I n d i a n
M i n o r i t y Groups-- L a t i n o s / H i s p a n i c s
Women's h e a l t h i s s u e s , i n c l u d i n g b r e a s t cancer
College students
Research
M i g r a n t and Community H e a l t h C e n t e r s
Underserved Communities ( r u r a l o n l y )
Undocumented P e r s o n s / I l l e g a l Immigrants
100
101
100
100
100
H e a l t h Care Reform General
H e a l t h Care Reform General ( s u p p o r t i v e )
Heartfelt
Request f o r I n f o r m a t i o n
Views and S u g g e s t i o n s ( g e n e r a l )
7. OTHER
HR
HR
HF
RI
VS
�frl
p 7- ^c*
6)
1
—
�INSURANCE
�CH
no
Thank you tor writing about health care reform. In your letter you expressea concern about the
treatment of children with disabilities under the President's health care reform proposal. This is an issue th.
the Administration considered carefully while formulating the proposal.
I.'nder the President's proposai. all .Americans, including children with disabiiitie--. .ire guaranteed ..
comprehensive package of benefits at the same rates. Moreover, there will be nc '.ir'etime limits on care.
The comprehensive benefits package includes prenatal care, and a schedule of preventive services at no
cost, including immunizations, and regular checkups. The proposal includes many benefits for children with
disabilities, such as outpatient occupational therapy, outpatient physical therapy, and outpatient speech
pathology services.
In addition, the benefits package will cover durable medical equipment and prosthetic and onhotic
devices. In addition, the plan includes the fining of equipment and devices and training for the use of these
items if they improve the child's functional abilities or prevent further deterioration of their abilities. There
is no specific limitation relating to customization.
A new community-based long-term care benefit will help children with severe physical or mental
disabilities, regardless of their family's income. The proposal also improves Medicaid benefits and eases
Medicaid eligibility conditions for children with disabilities. These programs will provide families with the
support they need in order to take care of their children.
Finally, the President's health care reform proposal includes long-term strategies for prevention and for
helping children with disabilities. Under the plan, the National Institutes of Health will receive additional
funding lor research on prenatal and perinatal health, birth defects, childhood diseases, unintentional injuries,
and learning and cognitive development.
This nation now has an historic opportunity to change our health care system to make it work for all of
us. I hope you will work with the President to make health security a reality for all Americans.
�C V I O0
ou c c e r i_ c s unc—• r
— ~ v-.^ c - ^ - ^— •
r.eaich r a r e refcrir.
proposal.
T h i s i s an i s s u e chac t h e
Administranion considered c a r e f u l l y while f o r m u l a t i n g me
prcposai.
The b e n e f i t s c r e v i c e d i n t h e p r o p o s a i a r e comprehensive.
The package i n c l u d e s a broad range o f c l i n i c a l p r e v e n t i v e
s e r v i c e s , i n c l u d i n g r e g u l a r checkups, p r e n a t a l c a r e , w e l l - b a b y
c a r e , immunizazicns, c h o l e s t e r o l s c r e e n i n g , mammogram, and
Pap smears w i t h c u t cose s h a r i n g .
I t also includes hospital
and p r o f e s s i o n a l s e r v i c e s , p r e s c r i p t i o n d r u g s , h o s p i c e and
nome c a r e , d u r a c i e m e d i c a l equipment, m e n t a l h e a l t h and subscanc;
abuse t r e a t m e n t , ana o t h e r s e r v i c e s .
These b e n e f i t s are n e t
o e r m i t t e a t o be s u b i e c t t o l i f e t i m e l i m i t s .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
n e a l t n t a r e system t c make i t work f o r a i l o f us. I hope you
•.vi 11 wcrk .vith t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i c y
f o r a i l Americans.
�CV13 0
JH^V
COVERAGE:
PART-TIME WORKERS
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about the status of p a r t - t i m e
workers under the President's h e a l t h care reform proposal.
This i s an issue t h a t the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y
while f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
Today, many employers do not c o n t r i b u t e t o h e a l t h care costs
f o r t h e i r p a r t - t i m e workers. Under the President's proposal,
p a r t - t i m e workers w i l l be covered, and t h e i r employers w i l l pay
f o r a p o r t i o n of t h e i r h e a l t h insurance premiums based on the
number o f hours worked.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
DETERMINED TO BEAN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS: J m _ DATEiilX^L
�aviso
•i
'v
.:
-s-.'— = c - s
under m e P r e s i d e n t ' s n e a l t n care r e f o r m p r o p c s a i .
issue t h a t the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y while
formulating the proposal.
The b e n e f i t s p r o v i d e d i n my p r o p o s a l a r e comprehensive. The
package i n c l u d e s a b r o a d range o f c l i n i c a l p r e v e n t i v e s e r v i c e s ,
i n c l u d i n g r o u t i n e c l i n i c a l v i s i t s , well-baby care,
immunizations,
p r e n a t a l c a r e , c h o l e s t e r o l s c r e e n i n g , mammogram and pap smears
without cost sharing.
I t a l s o i n c l u d e s h o s p i t a l and p r o f e s s i o n a l
s e r v i c e s , f a m i l y p l a n n i n g s e r v i c e s and s e r v i c e s f o r p r e g n a n t
women, p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs, h o s p i c e and home c a r e , d u r a b l e m e d i c a l
equipment, m e n t a l h e a l t h and substance abuse t r e a t m e n t , and o t h e r
services.
These b e n e f i t s a r e n o t p e r m i t t e d t o be s u b j e c t t c
lifetime limits.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s approach r e c o g n i z e s t h a t o l d e r Americans and
t h o s e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s p r e f e r home and community based
c a r e -- t h e k i n d o f care n o t c o v e r e d today.
I t w i l l provide
g r e a t e r coverage f o r l o n g - t e r m care f o r p e o p l e w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s ,
i n c l u d i n g o l d e r Americans, t h r o u g h a new home and communitybased c a r e program.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h t a r e system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a l l Americans.
�H
Plio
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about d e n t a l care under the President's h e a l t h
care r e f orm p r c p o s a i . This i s an issue t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n
c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the p r c p o s a i .
Under tne P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h t a r e reform c r c p c s a i , a i l Ameriran
c i t i z e n s ana l e g a l r e s i d e n t s w i l l be guaranteed a tcmcrenensive
package of h e a l t h b e n e f i t s t h a t can never be taken away. I n d u c e d
i n t h i s package w i l l be p r e v e n t i o n and d i a g n o s i s of d e n t a l disease,
i n c l u d i n g o r a l d e n t a l e x a m i n a t i o n s , radiographs, d e n t a l s e a l a n t s ,
f l u o r i d e a p p l i c a t i o n , and d e n t a l p r o p h y l a x i s . P r i o r t o January 1,
2001, t h i s coverage w i l l be a v a i l a b l e f o r i n d i v i d u a l s under t h e age
of 18. A f t e r t h i s date, a l l o f these s e r v i c e s , except s e a l a n t s ,
w i l l be covered f o r a l l Americans.
Treatment o f d e n t a l disease, i n c l u d i n g r o u t i n e f i l l i n g s ,
p r o s t h e t i c s f o r g e n e t i c d e f e c t s , p e r i o d o n t a l maintenance, and
e n d o d o n t i c s e r v i c e s , w i l l a l s o be i n c l u d e d . This t o o w i l l be
a v a i l a b l e o n l y f o r i n d i v i d u a l s under the age o f 18 u n t i l January 1,
2001.
A f t e r t h i s date, a l l o f these s e r v i c e s except endodontic
s e r v i c e s w i l l be covered f o r a l l i n d i v i d u a l s . Endodontic s e r v i c e s
w i l l continue t o be covered o n l y f o r i n d i v i d u a l s under the acre of
18 .
Everyone w i l l have coverage f o r emergency d e n t a l t r e a t m e n t ,
i n c l u d i n g simple e x t r a c t i o n s , treatment f o r acute i n f e c t i o n s ,
b l e e d i n g , and i n i u n e s t o n a t u r a l t e e t h and o r a l s t r u c t u r e s .
I n a d d i t i o n , space maintenance procedures, t o p r e v e n t
o r t h o d o n t i c c o m p l i c a t i o n s w i l l be i n c l u d e d f o r c h i l d r e n from 3 t c 13
y e a r s o f age. I n t e r c e p t i v e o r t h o d o n t i c t r e a t m e n t t o . p r e v e n t severe
m a l o c c l u s i o n w i l l be covered b e g i n n i n g i n t h e year 2001 f o r
i n d i v i d u a l s between t h e ages o f 6 and 12.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t c change our
h e a l t h care system t c make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a i l
Americans.
�L a l <+ o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m . I n your l e t c e :
you expressed concern about t h e needs o f people w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s
under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l . T h i s i s an issue
t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the
oroDcsal.
)r t e c icng, peopie w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s have faced
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n t h e h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e marketplace. Many are
p r e v e n t e d from p u r c h a s i n g i n s u r a n c e because t h e y have a s o - c a l l e d
" p r e - e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n . " Those a b l e t o o b t a i n i n s u r a n c e are o f t e n
f o r c e d t o pay t h e h i g h e s t r a t e s . And many reach t h e i r l i f e t i m e
l i m i t on b e n e f i t s j u s t when t h e y need coverage the most.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l w i l l guarantee
e v e r y American p r i v a t e i n s u r a n c e coverage t h a t can never be taken
away. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e p r o p o s a l outlaws u n f a i r i n s u r a n c e p r a c t i c e s .
I t w i l l be i l l e g a l f o r i n s u r a n c e companies t o drop coverage o r c u t
b e n e f i t s , i n c r e a s e your r a t e s i f you g e t s i c k , use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s
t o c u t o f f your b e n e f i t s , and charge h i g h e r premiums based on h e a l t h
c o n d i t i o n o r age.
The comprehensive b e n e f i t package t h a t w i l l be a v a i l a b l e t o
e v e r y American i n c l u d e s h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l and h o s p i t a l s e r v i c e s ,
p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs, c l i n i c a l p r e v e n t i v e s e r v i c e s , mental h e a l t h care
and substance abuse s e r v i c e s , home h e a l t h care, extended care,
r e h a b i l i t a t i o n s e r v i c e s , d u r a b l e medical equipment, and many o t h e r
s e r v i c e s t h a t are e s s e n t i a l t o people w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e r v i c e s i n t h e comprehensive b e n e f i t
package, t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l expands l o n g - t e r m care s e r v i c e s
f o r people w i t h severe d i s a b i l i t i e s , r e g a r d l e s s o f age o r income.
T h i s new program w i l l p r o v i d e home and community based s u p p o r t s f o r
up t o 3.1 m i l l i o n people. People who l i v e i n n u r s i n g f a c i l i t i e s and
i n t e r m e d i a t e care f a c i l i t i e s f o r t h e m e n t a l l y r e t a r d e d w i l l be
p e r m i t t e d t o keep more o f t h e i r monthly income f o r p e r s o n a l
expenses. The l o n g - t e r m care program a l s o helps people w i t h
d i s a b i l i t i e s who work by a u t h o r i z i n g a 50 percent t a x c r e d i t , up t o
$15,000 each year, f o r work - r e l a t e d p e r s o n a l a s s i s t a n c e and o t h e r
services.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�M C ISO
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about p r e s c r i p t i o n drug coverage under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This i s an issue t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the p r o p o s a l .
The President's proposal guarantees every American coverage f o r
p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs. I n d i v i d u a l s up t o 65 years w i l l pay e i t h e r $5
per p r e s c r i p t i o n or 20 percent o f t h e cost a f t e r meeting a $250
annual d e d u c t i b l e , depending on t h e h e a l t h p l a n they choose.
I n d i v i d u a l s on Medicare w i l l pay 20 percent o f t h e cost o f a
p r e s c r i p t i o n a f t e r reaching the $250 d e d u c t i b l e . I n any case,
annual o u t - o f - p o c k e t costs w i l l be l i m i t e d t o $1,000.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�M H loo
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about treatment f o r mental h e a l t h under the
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care reform proposal.
This i s an issue t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The President's proposal takes h i s t o r i c steps towards ensuring
t h a t those Americans who s u f f e r from mental i l l n e s s r e c e i v e t h e care
to which they are e n t i t l e d . S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t makes d e n i a l o f coverage
based on p r e - e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s ( i n c l u d i n g mental i l l n e s s ) i l l e g a l ,
and e l i m i n a t e s l i f e t i m e l i m i t s on care. Services t h a t w i l l be covered
include:
screening and assessment; c r i s i s s e r v i c e s ; i n p a t i e n t ,
i n t e n s i v e n o n - r e s i d e n t i a l , and o u t p a t i e n t mental i l l n e s s ; substance
abuse t r e a t m e n t ; case management and c o l l a t e r a l s e r v i c e s . While annual
day l i m i t s w i l l e x i s t i n i t i a l l y , they w i l l be phased out by January 1,
2001, making coverage f o r mental i l l n e s s equal t o p h y s i c a l i l l n e s s .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our h e a l t h
care system t o make i t work f o r a l l of us. I hope you w i l l work w i t h
the President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l Americans.
�DUALITY
�CC100
JB^V
CONSUMER CHOICE
HEALTH PLANS
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern w i t h the a b i l i t y of consumers t o
choose t h e i r own doctors and h e a l t h plans. The President's
h e a l t h care reform proposal does not r e s t r i c t the a b i l i t y of
consumers t o make choices. I t i n f a c t increases choices f o r
individuals.
C u r r e n t l y , only 3 out of every 10 employers w i t h fewer than
500 employees o f f e r any choice o f h e a l t h plan. Under the
President's h e a l t h care reform proposal, f a m i l i e s , not employers,
w i l l choose t h e i r h e a l t h plans. A l l i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l have the
o p t i o n t o choose a t r a d i t i o n a l " f e e - f o r - s e r v i c e " plan, which
allows consumers t o see any h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l they wish. Also,
a l l HMO-type plans must provide a "point o f service" feature t o
give consumers the choice t o belong t o an HMO but maintain the
o p t i o n t o see any doctor outside the plan by paying a b i t more.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l of us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
• «V ?7^
MA •*.&f7rT ? t^^1n 7 ~
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS: J*^ DATE: H/z/ZZ
2^06 - O 9 PS"- f-
�ccif-o
ycu r c r w r i t i n g a c c u i h e a l t n t a r e r a f r r - .
"In y c u r
l e t t e r you expressed t t n c e r n about y c u r t h o i c e f t r c r c v i d e r unde:
the P r e s i d e n t ' s n e a l t n care r e f o r m
proposal.
This i s an i s s u e
that the Administration
considered c a r e f u l l y while f o r m u l a t i n g
the proposal.
P a t i e n t s w i l l always be a b l e t o see t h e i r d o c t o r t o
d e c i d e t h e b e s t t r e a t m e n t t o keep them h e a l t h y . I n t o d a y ' s
system, d o c t o r s ' d e c i s i o n s a r e t o o o f t e n second-guessed by
i n s u r a n c e company b u r e a u c r a t s and l a w y e r s .
Reform w i l l f r e e
d o c t o r s from much o f t h i s s e c o n d - g u e s s i n g and paperwork and
l e t them do what t h e y do b e s t -- care f o r p a t i e n t s .
A f t e r r e f o r m , d o c t o r s may j o i n one o f s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t
h e a l t h p l a n s . And p a t i e n t s can f o l l o w t h e i r d o c t o r t o any
p l a n he o r she j o i n s .
The opponents o f r e f o r m a r e u s i n g scare
t a c t i c s -- c l a i m i n g t h a t my a p p r o a c h w i l l s e p a r a t e p a t i e n t s from
t h e i r d o c t o r s -- i n o r d e r t o p r e s e r v e t h e s t a t u s quo. But make
no m i s t a k e about i t -- p a t i e n t s w i l l be a b l e t o see t h e i r d o c t o r ,
and n o t h i n g any s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t says w i l l change t h a t .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a l l Americans.
�C N I 00
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m .
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a i .
T h i s i s an issue t n a
the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u i l v w h i l e f c r m u l a t i n c t h e
The p r o p o s a i e s t a b l i s h e s advanced i n f o r m a t i o n systems t o
ensure t h a t m e d i c a l p r o v i d e r s have t i m e l y d a t a needed t o d e l i v e r
h i g h - q u a l i t y and e f f i c i e n t c a r e .
The p l a n a l s o p r o v i d e s measures
to p r o t e c t computerized personal medical i n f o r m a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g
the f o l l o w i n g :
•
Every p a t i e n t has t h e r i g h t t o know i n what l o c a t i o n s any
i d e n t i f i a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n i s m a i n t a i n e d and t h e purpose f o r
w h i c h such i n f o r m a t i o n c o u l d be d i s c l o s e d .
•
E v e r y p a t i e n t has a r i g h t t o access t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l
i d e n t i f i a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n i n o r d e r t o see, copy, o r c o r r e c t
such r e c o r d s .
•
Anyone u s i n g i n f o r m a t i o n f o r any i m p r o p e r purpose i s s u b j e c t
to c r i m i n a l penalties.
•
The n a t i o n a l p r i v a c y p o l i c y e x p l i c i t l y f o r b i d s t h e l i n k i n g
o f h e a l t h care and n o n - h e a l t h c a r e i n f o r m a t i o n t h r o u g h
h e a l t h i d e n t i f i c a t i o n numbers.
•
The N a t i o n a l H e a l t h Board w i l l p r o m u l g a t e s t a n d a r d s t o
p r o t e c t t h e p r i v a c y o f i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t i s c o l l e c t e d and
o r r e p o r t e d as a p a r t o f t h e new h e a l t h c a r e system.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h c a r e system t o make i t work f o r a l l .of u s . I hope you
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t to- make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a i l Americans.
�H? no
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about c h i r o p r a c t i c care under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This i s an issue t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the c r c p c s a i .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s c r c p c s a i p r o v i d e s coverage f o r a .rcmprehensive
b e n e f i t package, i n c l u d i n g s e r v i c e s o f h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l s . The
p r o p o s a i d e f i n e s h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l s e r v i c e s t o i n c l u d e those
s e r v i c e s t h a t are l a w f u l l y p r o v i d e d by a p h y s i c i a n , o r those
s e r v i c e s t h a t c o u l d be performed by a p h y s i c i a n and t h a t are
p r o v i d e d by another person who i s l e g a l l y a u t h o r i z e d t o p r o v i d e
those s e r v i c e s i n t h e s t a t e . The p r o p o s a l does n o t s p e c i f y
p a r t i c u l a r items o r s e r v i c e s w i t h i n these broad c a t e g o r i e s , nor does
i t i d e n t i f y s p e c i f i c p r o v i d e r s o f s e r v i c e s . Improved c o m p e t i t i o n
among h e a l t h plans w i l l l i k e l y c r e a t e new i n c e n t i v e s f o r e f f e c t i v e
use o f a range o f p r o v i d e r s , i n c l u d i n g c h i r o p r a c t o r s . Plans w i l l be
f r e e t o use any mix of p r o v i d e r s t o meet t h e needs o f t h e i r
enrolles .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�QC100
1^01
QUALITY CARE
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern t h a t the President's h e a l t h care
reform proposal would compromise the q u a l i t y of care f o r p a t i e n t s
and jeopardize the d o c t o r - p a t i e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p . These are issues
the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y while f o r m u l a t i n g the
proposal.
A cornerstone of the President's proposal i s q u a l i t y
management and improvement o f h e a l t h care. Under the proposal,
each h e a l t h p l a n w i l l be r e q u i r e d t o meet n a t i o n a l q u a l i t y
standards. Consumers receive " r e p o r t cards" t h a t provide
i n f o r m a t i o n on q u a l i t y and appropriateness o f care, access,
outcomes and p a t i e n t s a t i s f a c t i o n , t o enable them t o make
meaningful choices among h e a l t h plans.
The President's proposal strengthens and s i g n i f i c a n t l y
streamlines three q u a l i t y assurance programs. I n doing so,
d u p l i c a t i o n w i l l be e l i m i n a t e d . The proposal also supports
research on t o p i c s c e n t r a l t o q u a l i t y management, i n c l u d i n g ways
to share treatment advances, q u a l i t y measurement, and design of
i n f o r m a t i o n systems. The proposal also i n d i r e c t l y improves the
r e l a t i o n s h i p between p a t i e n t s and t h e i r doctors through the
e l i m i n a t i o n o f excessive burdensome paperwork and r e g u l a t i o n .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l of us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
•tT^ACwiu'
DETERMINED TO BEAN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS: AbJ^ DATEMjzjlZ
�COST
�Thank you f o r w r i c m g abcuc h e a l t h care reform. I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about t h e a n t i t r u s t issue and p r e s e r v i n g
c o m p e t i t i o n under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l .
This
is an issue t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d cars f u l l y v;nile
f t r m . u l a t i n g tne c r t p o s a i .
The P r e s i c e n t ' s h e a l t h t a r e reform p r c p o s a i encourages c r c v t c e r s
and n e a l t n clans t o tcmpete cn the b a s i s o f p r i c e , q u a l i t y , and
innovation.
As ycu know, i n many circumstances, c o m p e t i t i o n i s
a c t u a l l y promoted by mergers, j o i n t v e n t u r e s , and o t h e r c o o p e r a t i v e
a c t i v i t i e s among h o s p i t a l s and o t h e r h e a l t h care p r o v i d e r s .
The Federal Trade Commission and t h e J u s t i c e Department are
w o r k i n g t o reduce u n c e r t a i n t y r e g a r d i n g t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of a n t i t r u s t
laws t o these a c t i v i t i e s .
For t h e f i r s t t i m e , these agencies have
i s s u e d j o i n t a n t i t r u s t enforcement p o l i c y statements f o r t h e h e a l t h
care i n d u s t r y . Moreover, r e c o g n i z i n g t h a t circumstances may change
over t i m e , t h e agencies have committed t o p r o v i d i n g a d d i t i o n a l
guidance, and a l s o developed an e x p e d i t e d process t o o b t a i n the views
of businesses r e g a r d i n g a n t i t r u s t i s s u e s .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our h e a l t h
care system t o make i t work f o r a l l of us. I hope you w i l l work w i t h
the P r e s i d e n t t c maKe h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l Americans.
�N IOC?
Thank, you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n ycur l e t t e r
you expressed concern about t h e r o l e o f insurance companies under
the P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r c p o s a i . This i s an issue t h a t
the A d m i n i s c r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the
prcposai .
Under t n e President's p r o p c s a i , the u n f a i r insurance p r a c t i c e s
t h a t p r e v e n t many Americans from o b t a i n i n g h e a l t h insurance w i l l be
illegal.
Insurance companies w i l l no longer be able t o drop
coverage o r c u t b e n e f i t s , i n c r e a s e r a t e s because o f sickness, use
l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o c u t o f f b e n e f i t s , o r charge h i g h e r premiums based
on h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n or age. I n a d d i t i o n , the p r o p o s a l w i l l
guarantee every American, i n c l u d i n g those w i t h o u t i nsurance, o r i v a t e
h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e t h a t can never be taken away.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
wcrk w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans .
�W I0 o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m .
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about t h e e x c e s s i v e amount o f
paperwork under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l .
T h i s i s an i s s u e t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y
while f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The p r o p o s a l w i l l reduce paperwork by c r e a t i n g a s i n g l e
c l a i m form t h a t a l l d o c t o r s and h o s p i t a l s w i l l use, r e p l a c i n g
the hundreds o f forms we have today. E l e c t r o n i c exchange o f
i n s u r a n c e and p a t i e n t i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l f u r t h e r reduce c o s t s and
f r u s t r a t i o n f o r doctors.
Moreover, w i t h t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f a
s t a n d a r d , comprehensive b e n e f i t package, d o c t o r s w i l l no l o n g e r
have t o f e r r e t o u t i n f o r m a t i o n on whether c e r t a i n s e r v i c e s a r e
c o v e r e d . Under t h e p r o p o s a l , covered s e r v i c e s a r e comprehensive,
and s t a n d a r d c o s t - s h a r i n g r u l e s w i l l s i m p l i f y a c c o u n t i n g f o r
providers.
I n a l l , t h e p r o p o s a l reduces a d m i n i s t r a t i v e i n e f f i c i e n c i e s w h i l e m a i n t a i n i n g t h e d o c t o r - p a t i e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p and
e n s u r i n g p a t i e n t p r i v a c y and c o n f i d e n t i a l i t y .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a l l Americans.
�MA100
flH^P
MALPRACTICE:
TORT REFORM
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n
your l e t t e r you expressed concern about the malpractice system
under the President's h e a l t h care reform proposal. This i s an
issue which the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The President's proposal f o r h e a l t h care reform takes
f e d e r a l a c t i o n t o reduce f r i v o l o u s l a w s u i t s w h i l e p r o t e c t i n g
p a t i e n t s ' r i g h t s . The President's proposal e s t a b l i s h e s an
a l t e r n a t i v e dispute, r e s o l u t i o n process t o resolve malpractice
claims i n a f a i r , e f f i c i e n t , t i m e l y and a f f o r d a b l e way. An
i n d i v i d u a l may b r i n g a case t o court only a f t e r p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n
t h i s process.
I n a d d i t i o n , before f i l i n g a l a w s u i t a lawyer must
o b t a i n a " c e r t i f i c a t e o f m e r i t " c e r t i f y i n g t h a t there i s a
reasonable cause f o r f i l i n g an a c t i o n .
The C l i n t o n proposal l i m i t s a t t o r n e y contingency fees t o
o n e - t h i r d of an award, and allows s t a t e s t o impose even lower
caps.£^jn a d d i t i o n , damage awards must be reduced by the amount
of any c o l l a t e r a l source o f compensation -- such as h e a l t h o r
o t h e r insurance -- f o r the same i n j u r y , thereby p r e v e n t i n g
claimants from r e c o v e r i n g more than once. The plan also permits
damages t o be p a i d by a defendant over a p e r i o d o f time.
F i n a l l y , the President's plan includes p i l o t programs. One
program releases defendants from malpractice l i a b i l i t y i f i t i s
demonstrated t h a t they f o l l o w e d appropriate c l i n i c a l p r a c t i c e
g u i d e l i n e s ^ Another p i l o t program s u b s t i t u t e s l i a b i l i t y on the
p a r t o f the h e a l t h p l a n i n which a p h y s i c i a n p a r t i c i p a t e s f o r the
personal l i a b i l i t y o f the p h y s i c i a n f o r medical m a l p r a c t i c e .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h careTsystem t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
DETERMINED TO BEAN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS: A A ^ L . DATE:J^i/i^
�M C /o o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about t h e h i g h cost o f h e a l t h care. This i s
an issue t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the President's h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l .
The President's proposal w i l l reduce t h e growth of h e a l t h care
c o s t s . The p r i n c i p a l source o f cost containment w i l l be increased
c o m p e t i t i o n among h e a l t h plans and p r o v i d e r s . Because a l l h e a l t h
plans w i l l o f f e r a standard, comprehensive b e n e f i t package and
charge a l l i n d i v i d u a l s the same r a t e r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e i r age o r
h e a l t h s t a t u s , h e a l t h plans w i l l compete f o r consumers by p r o v i d i n g
h i g h - q u a l i t y h e a l t h care a t a f f o r d a b l e p r i c e s . For t h e f i r s t time,
consumers w i l l be given the i n f o r m a t i o n they need and -- because
i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l purchase coverage i n groups -- t h e b a r g a i n i n g power
they have l a c k e d t o make meaningful choices among h e a l t h plans. I f
c o m p e t i t i o n i s l a c k i n g i n an area, a "backstop" system o f premium
caps w i l l ensure t h a t average premiums i n t h a t area r i s e no f a s t e r
than i n f l a t i o n .
F i n a l l y , t h e President's h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l w i l l
s i m p l i f y reimbursement through s t a n d a r d claims forms, r e q u i r e a l l
plans t o o f f e r a comprehensive b e n e f i t s package, and s t r e a m l i n e
r e g u l a t i o n s , so t h a t the same h e a l t h care d o l l a r w i l l buy more
h e a l t h care and less paperwork.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�M C 12- O
Thank, you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about abuse i n t h e c u r r e n t h e a l t h care system,
and how i t w i l l change under the President's h e a l t h care reform
proposal.
This i s an issue t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered
c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the p r o p o s a l .
According t o t h e General Accounting O f f i c e , h e a l t h care f r a u d
and abuse rob taxpayers o f as much as $80 b i l l i o n each year.
S i m p l i f y i n g the h e a l t h insurance system w i l l e l i m i n a t e o p p o r t u n i t i e s
f o r such f r a u d based on t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n of t h e c u r r e n t complex
system. The a d o p t i o n o f standard forms and coding systems
throughout the i n d u s t r y w i l l reduce o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r f r a u d u l e n t
b i l l i n g and unnecessary a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o s t s .
The Departments o f J u s t i c e and H e a l t h and Human Services w i l l
lead t h e a n t i - f r a u d e f f o r t , o r g a n i z i n g an A l l - P a y e r Health Care
Fraud and Abuse Enforcement Program t o c o o r d i n a t e f e d e r a l , s t a t e ,
and l o c a l law-enforcement a c t i v i t i e s . The e f f o r t w i l l t a r g e t
p r a c t i c e s such as o v e r c h a r g i n g f o r s e r v i c e s , charging f o r medical
care t h a t was never d e l i v e r e d , g i v i n g kickbacks t o doctors who r e f e r
t h e i r p a t i e n t s t o c e r t a i n c l i n i c s o r pharmacies, and d e l i v e r i n g
unnecessary s e r v i c e s . I f p r o v i d e r s f i l e f a l s e claims a g a i n s t h e a l t h
plans, t h e i r assets can be seized and c r i m i n a l p e n a l t i e s f o r h e a l t h
care f r a u d can be imposed.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about insurance coverage f o r i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h
low incomes under the President's h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This
i s an i s s u e which t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the p r o p o s a l .
On average, an i n d i v i d u a l ' s share of t h e premium f o r an
average-cost p l a n w i l l be between 1 and 2 percent o f income. For
most Americans who are now i n s u r e d , t h i s w i l l be t h e same o r l e s s
than t h e y are c u r r e n t l y paying f o r t h e same o r b e t t e r b e n e f i t s .
S u b s i d i e s are a v a i l a b l e f o r i n d i v i d u a l s under 150 percent o f
p o v e r t y . A c e i l i n g o f 3.9 percent of income was added t o p r o t e c t
some people -- those w i t h low incomes l i v i n g i n areas w i t h h i g h
h e a l t h care costs -- who would not get s u f f i c i e n t p r o t e c t i o n from
the d i s c o u n t s on the p r i c e of insurance p r o v i d e d under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s approach. The e x t r a l a y e r o f s e c u r i t y o f f e r e d by t h e
c e i l i n g ensures those i n d i v i d u a l s t h a t t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o
purchase h e a l t h coverage w i l l be manageable.
Reduced co-payments are a v a i l a b l e t o AFDC and SSI
r e c i p i e n t s --20 percent of lower cost s h a r i n g p l a n -- o r $2 r a t h e r
than $10 copayment i n lower cost s h a r i n g p l a n .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m .
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about t h e premium cost f o r t h e
i n d i v i d u a l under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l .
T h i s i s an i s s u e t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
formulating the proposal.
On average, an i n d i v i d u a l ' s share o f t h e premium f o r an
average-cost p l a n w i l l be between 1 and 2 p e r c e n t o f income.
For most Americans who a r e now i n s u r e d , t h i s w i l l be t h e same
o r l e s s t h a n t h e y a r e c u r r e n t l y p a y i n g f o r t h e same o r b e t t e r
b e n e f i t s . A c e i l i n g o f 3.9 p e r c e n t o f income was added t o
p r o t e c t some people -- those w i t h low incomes l i v i n g i n areas
w i t h h i g h h e a l t h care c o s t s -- who would n o t g e t s u f f i c i e n t
p r o t e c t i o n from t h e d i s c o u n t s . The e x t r a l a y e r o f s e c u r i t y
o f f e r e d by t h e c e i l i n g ensures those i n d i v i d u a l s t h a t t h e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o purchase h e a l t h coverage w i l l be manageable.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a l l Americans.
�/0 o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m . I n y c u r
l e t t e r ycu e x p r e s s e d concern about f u n d i n g t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h
care r e f o r m p r o p o s a i . T h i s i s an i s s u e t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n
considered c a r e f u l l y while formulating the proposai.
As i n t h e p a s t , t h e p r i m a r y source o f f u n d i n g f o r h e a l t h
care w i l l be t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n s o f employers and employees t o
t h e i r own p r i v a t e h e a l t h c a r e p l a n s . A d d i t i o n a l f i n a n c i n g w i l l
come from more e f f i c i e n t use o f funds spent by t h e government.
Another c o n t r i b u t i o n t o f i n a n c i n g t h e p r o p o s a i w i l l be a
tax on tobacco p r o d u c t s . The P r e s i d e n t b e l i e v e s t h a t t h i s a f a i r
and r e a s o n a b l e source o f f u n d i n g f o r h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m , g i v e n
the d i r e c t , q u a n t i f i a b l e e f f e c t s o f tobacco on o u r n a t i o n ' s
health.
Tobacco p r o d u c t s and smoking have a d e v a s t a t i n g e f f e c t
on n e a l t n and n e a l t n care c o s t s -- one i n f i v e d e a t h s i s caused
by s m o k i n g - r e l a t e d i l l n e s s e s , and l i f e t i m e m e d i c a l e x p e n d i t u r e s
f o r smokers exceed those o f non-smokers by an average o f
28 p e r c e n t .
I n f a c t , 18 p e r c e n t o f a l l m e d i c a l e x p e n d i t u r e s are
spent p r o v i d i n g h e a l t h care t o those s u f f e r i n g f r o m smokingr e l a t e d diseases.
There i s no q u e s t i o n t h a t t o b a c c o use adds
s i g n i f i c a n t l y t o o u r n a t i o n ' s h e a l t h care b i l l .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h c a r e system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope ycu
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f c r a l l Americans.
�sv IO o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n ycur l e c t e r
you expressed concern about t h e q u a l i t y o f care under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This i s an issue t h a t the
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the p r o p c s a i .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s approach t c n e a l t n care reform increases
c o m p e t i t i o n , r e q u i r i n g h e a l t h plans t o compete on p r i c e and q u a l i t y ,
i n s t e a d of cn t h e b a s i s o f wnich does t h e best j o b of e x c l u d i n g S I C K
people and o l d people. H e a l t h care p r o v i d e r s w i l l have an i n c e n t i v e
t o p r o v i d e h i g h - q u a l i t y care and c o n t r o l costs t o a t t r a c t more
p a t i e n t s . As a r e s u l t , t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a i would produce
s a v i n g s . According t o t h e n o n p a r t i s a n Congressional Budget O f f i c e ,
the t o t a l cost t h a t a l l businesses would pay f o r h e a l t h insurance
under h i s p l a n would be about $20 b i l l i o n l e s s i n t h e year 2000.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m p e t i t o r s spend much l e s s than we do on n e a l t n
care -- y e t they i n s u r e a l l o f t h e i r people, p r o v i d e b e t t e r
b e n e f i t s , and have s i m i l a r outcomes i n terms o f h e a l t h . I n t h i s
c o u n t r y , evidence from communities, companies, and r e g i o n s
i l l u s t r a t e s t h a t h e a l t h care p r o v i d e r s can and w i l l c u t costs
s u b s t a n t i a l l y and q u i c k l y i f t h e r e are a p p r o p r i a t e i n c e n t i v e s .
P r o v i d i n g i n c e n t i v e s t o d e l i v e r more c o s t - e f f e c t i v e care and
r e d u c i n g a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o s t s w i l l f r e e up d o l l a r s t o make h e a l t h
care more a f f o r d a b l e f o r a l l Americans.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f c r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h the P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a i l
Americans.
�SNRS & GOV'T
�G P J2 0
Thank ycu f c r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n ycur l e t t e r
ycu expressed concern about m i l i t a r y b e n e f i t s under t h e President's
h e a l t h care reform p r c p o s a i . T h i s i s an issue t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the p r o p o s a i .
cuality
h e a _ t h care cc m i l i t a r y p e r s o n n e l and t h e i r f a m i l i e s .
The h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l a l l o w s t h e Department
of Defense t o e s t a b l i s h m i l i t a r y h e a l t h p l a n s c o v e r i n g b r o a d
g e o g r a p h i c a l r e g i o n s i n which m i l i t a r y h o s p i t a l s w i l l p l a y a
central role.
These m i l i t a r y h e a l t h p l a n s w i l l be p e r m i t t e d
to contract w i t h c i v i l i a n h e a l t h providers t o d e l i v e r services
tc m i l i t a r y b e n e f i c i a r i e s throughout the United States.
Under t n e p r o p o s a l , f a m i l y members o f m i l i t a r y b e n e f i c i a r i e s
ana r e t i r e e s w i l l nave more c h o i c e s t h a n those t h a t e x i s t i n t h e
c u r r e n t system. A c t i v e - d u t y p e r s o n n e l w i l l e n r o l l i n m i l i t a r y
h e a l t h p l a n s and w i l l pay no premiums o r c o s t - s h a r i n g . A l l
f a m i l y members o f a c t i v e - d u t y p e r s o n n e l , m i l i t a r y r e t i r e e s ,
f a m i l y members o f r e t i r e e s , and s u r v i v o r s w i l l be e l i g i b l e t o
e n r o l l i n m i l i t a r y neaith plans.
M i l i t a r y h e a l t h plans w i l l
p r o v i d e a ccmprenensive b e n e f i t s package, p l u s any a d d i t i o n a l
s e r v i c e s o f f e r e e t h r o u g h CHAMPUS. Employers o f m i l i t a r y
b e n e f i c i a r i e s e n r o l l e d i n a m i l i t a r y h e a l t h p l a n w i l l pay t h e
empicyer c o n t r i b u t i o n t c the p l a n .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h c a r e system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us.' I hope you
w i l l wcrk w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a i l Americans.
�GP13 0
1^0V
FEHBP
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m .
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about t h e impact t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l w i l l have on t h e F e d e r a l Employees
H e a l t h B e n e f i t s Program (FEHBP).
The P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l i s based on a
p r i n c i p l e embodied i n today's FEHBP program: broad consumer
c h o i c e o f p l a n s . Under t h e p r o p o s a l , f e d e r a l employees and
r e t i r e e s w i l l j o i n w i t h o t h e r members o f t h e communities where
t h e y l i v e and choose from a v a r i e t y o f h e a l t h p l a n s j u s t as t h e y
do now under FEHBP.
FEHBP w i l l be r e p e a l e d e f f e c t i v e as o f December 31, 1997.
At t h a t t i m e , t h e new h e a l t h system w i l l be i n f u l l o p e r a t i o n i n
a l l s t a t e s t o ensure c h o i c e o f h i g h q u a l i t y h e a l t h p l a n s t h a t
p r o v i d e t h e n a t i o n a l l y guaranteed comprehensive b e n e f i t s package,
The b e n e f i t s package p r o v i d e d i n t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care
r e f o r m p r o p o s a l i s comparable t o t h a t o f f e r e d by many o f t h e
p l a n s i n FEHBP.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r h e a l t h c a r e system.
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INITIALS: <M^ D T : M/x/fZ^
AF
�GP150
JMMV
MEDICAID
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about the Medicaid program under the
President's h e a l t h care reform proposal.
This i s an issue the
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y while f o r m u l a t i n g the
proposal.
The President's proposal i n t e g r a t e s Medicaid b e n e f i c i a r i e s
i n t o the new system, r e l i e v i n g pressures on states and
physicians.
This w i l l e l i m i n a t e the t w o - t i e r e d system c u r r e n t l y
faced by Medicaid b e n e f i c i a r i e s . Medicaid r e c i p i e n t s w i l l be
guaranteed the same comprehensive package of b e n e f i t s t h a t other
Americans receive.
State and f e d e r a l governments w i l l make payments t o cover
the costs o f p r o v i d i n g b e n e f i t s t o cash assistance r e c i p i e n t s .
Health plans and providers w i l l receive the same payment f o r
Medicaid b e n e f i c i a r i e s as f o r other plan e n r o l l e e s . Medicaid
w i l l also continue t o pay f o r a d d i t i o n a l h e a l t h services not
covered.in the comprehensive b e n e f i t s package f o r cash assistance
r e c i p i e n t s , l i k e hearing aids, t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , language
i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , c h i l d care d u r i n g v i s i t s t o a doctor and
r e h a b i l i t a t i o n and mental h e a l t h services beyond those covered i n
the comprehensive b e n e f i t s package.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
DETERMINED TO BEAN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS: A £ ^ _ DATEdijW^
�GP
170
Thank you f o r w r i c i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n ycur
l e t t e r , you expressed concern about t h e treatment o f v e t e r a n s under
the P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a i . This i s an issue ••/hirh
the A d m i n i s t r a t i c n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the
propcsai.
about how and wnere they r e c e i v e h e a l t h care. The VA w i l l form
h e a l t h plans open t o a l l v e t e r a n s , i n c l u d i n g those n o t c u r r e n t l y
a b l e t o access VA h e a l t h care. Low-income veterans and those w i t h
s e r v i c e - c o n n e c t e d d i s a b i l i t i e s who e n r o l l w i l l pay no premiums c r
cost s h a r i n g . S p e c i a l i z e d s e r v i c e s w i l l be p r o v i d e d t o a l l veterans
c u r r e n t l y e l i g i b l e f o r those b e n e f i t s and t h e f l e x i b i l i t y of t h e
v e t e r a n s h e a l t h care system w i l l be i n c r e a s e d .
Under t h e p r o p o s a i , t h e VA i s p e r m i t t e d t o keep funds i t
r e c o v e r s from t h i r d - p a r t y payers, i n c l u d i n g Medicare . The proposai
w i l l a l s o reduce t h e paperwork burden on VA i n s t i t u t i o n s and
providers.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope ycu w i l l
work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a i i t y f c r a i l
Americans.
r
�PC I o o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about t h e i n c l u s i o n of t h e P r e s i d e n t
and members o f Congress under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m
p r o p o s a l . This i s an issue t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered
c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the p r o p o s a l .
Under the P r e s i d e n t ' s approach, members o f Congress, f e d e r a l
employees, and f e d e r a l r e t i r e e s w i l l j o i n w i t h o t h e r members o f
t h e i r communities and be able t o choose from among a number o f
a v a i l a b l e h e a l t h p l a n s . L i k e o t h e r Americans, they w i l l be
guaranteed a comprehensive package o f h e a l t h b e n e f i t s t h a t can neve:
be taken away, even i f they get s i c k o r change j o b s .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans .
�S N I0 O
Thank ycu f o r w r i t i n g abcuc h e a l t h care reform. I n your l e t t e :
ycu expressed concern about t r e a t m e n t f o r t h e e l d e r l y under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This i s an issue t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g one o r c c c s a l
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r c p o s a i preserves and strengthens
Americans aged iE anu d o e r w i l l continue t c r e c e i v e
b e n e f i t s and see tne same a c c t o r or d o c t o r s they chose p r i o r t o one
p r o p o s a i becoming law. But t h e y w i l l a l s o be g i v e n new" heic inp a y i n g f o r p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs and o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o choose from amcng
a broader set o f h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e p l a n s .
I n a d d i t i o n , the P r e s i d e n t ' s approach i n c l u d e s a p r o p c s a i f c r a
new f e d e r a l - s t a t e home and community-based, long-term care program
f o r people o f a l l ages w i t h severe d i s a b i l i t i e s " . This program w i l l
support more than : m i l l i o n people w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s , t o help them
remain independent at nome and i n t h e i r community.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t c make i t wcrk f o r a i l of us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a i l
�SY
I0o
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n ycur l e t t e r
you expressed your o p i n i o n r e g a r d i n g a s i n g l e - p a y e r system. This is
a system t h a t the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g
the o r c p o s a l .
advantages t c t h i s system, tne H e a l t h Care Task Forte found a f t e r
months o f r e s e a r c h t h a t the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n would be acie t o p r o v i d e
many o f t h e same b e n e f i t s of t h e s i n g l e - p a y e r system w i t h o u t t h e
excessive i n c r e a s e i n taxes t h a t would accompany i t .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p l a n allows s t a t e s t o c r e a t e a s i n g l e - p a y e r system
f o r t h e s t a t e o r p a r t of the s t a t e .
However, t h e s t a t e s choosing a
s i n g l e - p a y e r system must meet t h e o v e r a l l system goals i n c l u d i n g
p r o v i d i n g u n i v e r s a l coverage f o r a comprehensive b e n e f i t package.
I n a d d i t i o n , t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p l a n guarantees a l l Americans t h a t
t h e i r mandated c c n t n b u t t e n gets them a t l e a s t t h e "average" (not t h e
lowest) p r i c e d p l a n . I t a l s o a l l o w s i n d i v i d u a l s t o pay f o r a l e s s (or
more) expensive h e a l t h p l a n w i t h t h e same comprehensive coverage.
Thus, i t a l l o w s consumers t c make cost - conscious choices, but does not
f o r c e anyone i n t o a "lowest p r i c e d " p l a n .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t c change our h e a l t h
care system: t o make i t wcr:-: f o r a l l o f us . I hope you w i l l work w i t h
the P r e s i d e n t t o make n e a l t n s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a i l Americans.
�ft
0 0
Thank you f c r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n ycur L e t t e r
you expressed concern about h e a l t h care d u r i n g the t r a n s i t i o n
between the c u r r e n t svstem and irriDiementation of nea__n rcire r = i_.r...
The P r e s i d e n t b e l i e v e s t h a t ever"/ American s n c u l d nave one
s e c u r i t y of comprehensive h e a l t h b e n e f i t s t h a t can never be taken
away. I n t e r i m i n s u r a n c e measures w i l l be enacted t o reduce t h e
p o t e n t i a l f o r d i s r u p t i o n d u r i n g t r a n s i t i o n t o t h e new system. These
measures w i l l p r o h i b i t i n s u r e r s from d r o p p i n g people o r f a i l i n g t c
renew t h e i r coverage, l i m i t a l l o w a b l e premium i n c r e a s e s , and l i m i t
the a b i l i t y o f i n s u r e r s t o exclude consumers w i t h p r e - e x i s t i n g
conditions.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�WORKPLACE
�GP110
COBRA
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about c o n t i n u a t i o n of coverage under
the Combined Omnibus Budget R e c o n c i l i a t i o n Act (COBRA).
The President's h e a l t h care reform proposal provides every
American guaranteed p r i v a t e insurance t h a t can never be taken
away. The enactment o f the President's proposal w i l l make COBRA
Continuation Coverage, now r e q u i r e d of group h e a l t h plans,
unnecessary because coverage w i l l be guaranteed regardless o f
whether a person changes jobs or loses h i s o r her job. During
the t r a n s i t i o n t o f u l l implementation of h e a l t h reform, when an
i n d i v i d u a l becomes e l i g i b l e f o r h e a l t h b e n e f i t s , COBRA coverage
w i l l be discontinued.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
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ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
INITIALS:
DATE> »/V'>
�LEI0 0
MM**
LARGE EMPLOYERS
Dear:
Thank you v e r y much f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m .
I n y o u r l e t t e r you expressed concern about t h e impact t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l w i l l have on l a r g e
employers.
T h i s i s an i s s u e t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d
c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The P r e s i d e n t i s concerned about t h e i n c r e a s i n g burden on
employers p r o v i d i n g h e a l t h i n s u r a n c e coverage f o r w o r k e r s . I n
t h e l a s t e i g h t y e a r s , p e r worker h e a l t h care c o s t s f o r American
b u s i n e s s e s have almost doubled.
High h e a l t h care c o s t s a r e
e r o d i n g c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s i n the g l o b a l m a r k e t p l a c e and s i p h o n i n g
d o l l a r s away from new c a p i t a l i n v e s t m e n t s . But most American
c o r p o r a t i o n s c o n s i d e r h e a l t h coverage a b e n e f i t o f employment,
and have c o n t i n u e d t o p r o v i d e coverage f o r workers and t h e i r
f a m i l i e s , a t e v e r - r i s i n g costs.
L i m i t i n g t h e r a t e o f g r o w t h o f h e a l t h care c o s t s w i l l reduce
c o s t s t o a l l employers p r o v i d i n g i n s u r a n c e t o t h e i r w o r k e r s .
Under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l , employer premium payments w i l l
r i s e $27 b i l l i o n l e s s t h a n t h e y would have w i t h o u t r e f o r m between
1994 and 2000.
Under t h e p r o p o s a l , a l l employers w i l l be r e q u i r e d t o pay 80
p e r c e n t o f t h e c o s t o f t h e a v e r a g e - p r i c e d p l a n i n an area f o r a l l
employees. Employer c o n t r i b u t i o n s are capped a t 7.9 p e r c e n t o f
p a y r o l l f o r employers who j o i n r e g i o n a l a l l i a n c e s . The employer
c o n t r i b u t i o n w i l l a c c o m p l i s h two t h i n g s . F i r s t , i t w i l l r e l i e v e
t h e b u r d e n on t h o s e companies t h a t c o v e r f a m i l y b e n e f i t s t o d a y i n
two-worker f a m i l i e s . Second, i t w i l l decrease c o s t s h i f t i n g t h a t
e x i s t s t o d a y from employers who do n o t c u r r e n t l y c o n t r i b u t e t o
t h e c o s t o f h e a l t h c a r e coverage t c those who do cover t h e i r
workers.
Employers w i t h more t h a n 5,000 employees may o p e r a t e t h e i r
own c o r p o r a t e a l l i a n c e s i n s t e a d o f j o i n i n g r e g i o n a l h e a l t h
alliances.
These c o r p o r a t e a l l i a n c e s w i l l be r e q u i r e d t o meet
f e d e r a l s t a n d a r d s , i n c l u d i n g p r o v i d i n g comprehensive b e n e f i t s ,
o f f e r i n g a c h o i c e o f p l a n s , and m a i n t a i n i n g q u a l i t y s t a n d a r d s .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h c a r e system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r h e a l t h c a r e system.
�i0 O
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g a b o u t h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m .
I n your l e t t e r
you e x p r e s s e d c o n c e r n a b o u t s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s and t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
h e a l t h care reform proposai.
T h i s i s an i s s u e t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y while formulating the prcposai.
Under t h e c u r r e n t h e a l t h c a r e system, s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s pay much
n i g n e r i n s u r a n c e r a t e s due t c u n d e r w r i t i n g and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e c o s t s
Under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l , s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s w i l l be a b l e t c
p r o v i d e a f f o r d a b l e c o v e r a g e f o r t h e i r employees and, as a r e s u l t ,
w i l l no l o n g e r f a c e d i s a d v a n t a g e s i n t h e m a r k e t p l a c e . They w i l l
j o i n t o g e t h e r w i t h o t h e r consumers i n r e g i o n a l h e a l t h a l l i a n c e s t o
a c h i e v e t h e b a r g a i n i n g power and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e s i m p l i c i t y t h a t b i g
b u s i n e s s e s have t o d a y .
F i r m s p a r t i c i p a t i n g m r e g i o n a l h e a l t h a l l i a n c e s pay premiums
f o r t h e i r w o r k e r s , b u t no f i r m w i l l have t o pay more t h a n
7.9 p e r c e n t o f p a y r o l l t o w a r d t h o s e premiums. S m a l l b u s i n e s s e s -t h o s e w i t h 75 o r f e w e r employees -- w i l l r e c e i v e d i s c o u n t s t h a t cap
premiums a t as l o w as 3.5 p e r c e n t o f p a y r o l l d e p e n d i n g on t h e i r s i z e
and a v e r a g e wage.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h c a r e s y s t e m t o make i t work f o r a l l o f u s . I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�£ iS i 0 C
u
r. .ar.k y c u f c r w r c t i r . g abcuc h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m .
I n ycur l e t t e r
ycu e x c r e s s e d ccr.cerr. a c c u t c o v e r a g e f c r s e l f - e m p l o y e d i n d i v i d u a l s
i n t e r t n e P r e s i d e n t ' s 'neaith care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l . T h i s i c ? n is cue
.
m a t t n e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i i e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u m g -\: i
A icy
'..
u:u : :.ua ..;. t i e i i c c r i m i n a t ed . ^ t :
.
-a:-: s y s t e m and n e a - lowed t c deduct o n l y 25 p e r c e n t : i t n e i s
u e a - t n care premiums f r o m t h e i r t a x e s . under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
p r o p o s a l , t h e y w i l l f i n a l l y oe a b l e t o d e d u c t 100 p e r c e n t o f one_r
n e a l t n c a r e cremiums from t h e i r t a x e s , as a l l o t h e r b u s i n e s s e s do
today.
As w i t h any b u s i n e s s . t n e s e l f - e t n p i eyed p a y t h e e m p l o y e r ' s
s n a r e and a r e e l i g i b l e f o r any d i s c o u n t s t h a t a p p l y . Under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p c s a i , s e l f - e m p l o y e d i n d i v i d u a l s
are c r e a t e d t n e same as e m a i l b u s i n e s s owners, and t h e i r c o s t s may
be rappee t c as low as :.5 p e r c e n t o f p a y r o l l .
F i n a l i y , t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l w i l l o u t l a w i n s u r a n c e company
c r a o t i c e s t h a t make i t i m p o s s i b l e f o r s e l f - e m p l o y e d i n d i v i d u a l s t o
get . n s u r a n c e t o d a y .
These p r a c t i c e s i n c l u d e c h a r g i n g e x c e s s i v e l y
h i - h p r i c e s and r e f u s i n g t o i n s u r e e n t i r e i n d u s t r i e s .
""mo o a t i o n new has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t c change our
h e a _ i n care s v s t e m cc make i t w c r k f o r a l l o f u s . I nope ycu w i l l
wcrh w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t o t a k e h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a i l
A m e n cans .
�UNIOO
zmmm
UNIONS
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m . I n ycur
l e t t e r you expressed concern about t h e r o l e o f unions under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l . T h i s i s an i s s u e t h a t
the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g t h e
proposal.
I n g e n e r a l , t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l expands t h e o p t i o n s o f
w o r k i n g f a m i l i e s by l e t t i n g employees, r a t h e r t h a n employers,
s e l e c t a h e a l t h p l a n f o r t h e i r f a m i l y from a l l h e a l t h p l a n s
a v a i l a b l e i n t h e i r area.
C o l l e c t i v e l y - b a r g a i n e d plans w i l l
c o n t i n u e t o o p e r a t e as t h e y do today, as l o n g as t h e y p r o v i d e a t
l e a s t t h e comprehensive b e n e f i t package d e s c r i b e d i n t h e
proposal.
Because t h e p r o p o s a l d e f i n e s guaranteed, comprehensive
b e n e f i t s , u n i o n s w i l l n o t have t o n e g o t i a t e away wage i n c r e a s e s
i n order t o preserve b e n e f i t s .
C o n t r i b u t i o n s f o r premiums f o r
the g u a r a n t e e d b e n e f i t package and c o s t s h a r i n g a r e t a x f r e e . •
For those w i t h coverage beyond t h e f e d e r a l l y g u a r a n t e e d package,
the t a x p r e f e r e n c e f o r those g r e a t e r b e n e f i t s w i l l be p r e s e r v e d
f o r t e n years.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r h e a l t h care system.
�WC10 0
fl^PP
WORKERS
COMPENSATION
INTEGRATION
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m . I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about c o o r d i n a t i o n o f workers'
compensation i n s u r a n c e w i t h n a t i o n a l h e a l t h care r e f o r m . T h i s i s
an i s s u e t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l ensures t h a t every American w i l l be
e l i g i b l e f o r comprehensive h e a l t h coverage t h a t can never be
t a k e n away. The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l i n t e g r a t e s workers'
compensation m e d i c a l b e n e f i t s i n t o t h e new h e a l t h care system i n
two s t e p s .
I n t h e s h o r t term, d e l i v e r y systems w i l l be i n t e g r a t e d .
I n j u r e d workers w i l l r e c e i v e s e r v i c e s t h r o u g h t h e i r h e a l t h p l a n s ,
w h i c h must demonstrate t h e i r c a p a c i t y t o t r e a t w o r k - r e l a t e d
i n j u r i e s and meet new s t a n d a r d s f o r q u a l i t y and e f f i c i e n c y .
C u r r e n t w o r k e r s ' compensation c a r r i e r s w i l l r e t a i n f i n a n c i a l
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y and reimburse h e a l t h p l a n s f o r t h e s e r v i c e s t h e y
p r o v i d e t o i n j u r e d workers.
A f e d e r a l commission w i l l develop a d e t a i l e d s t r a t e g y t o
f u l l y i n t e g r a t e t h e f i n a n c i n g o f w o r k e r s ' compensation b e n e f i t s .
T h i s w i l l r e s u l t i n even g r e a t e r c o s t s a v i n g s and h i g h e r q u a l i t y
c a r e . The commission w i l l s t u d y t h e most d i f f i c u l t ' i s s u e s
i n v o l v e d i n i n t e g r a t i o n and d e t e r m i n e whether we s h o u l d e s t a b l i s h
u n i f o r m b e n e f i t and e l i g i b i l i t y s t a n d a r d s and c o n t i n u e t o
e x p e r i e n c e r a t e workers' compensation premiums.
The i n t e g r a t i o n o f w o r k e r s ' compensation i n t o t h e h e a l t h
c a r e r e f o r m p r o p o s a l p r o v i d e s advantages f o r w o r k e r s . For
i n s t a n c e , w o r k e r s w i l l be a b l e t o see t h e d o c t o r s and nurses t h e y
t r u s t f o r a l l o f t h e i r medical care. Also, medical s e r v i c e s
p r o v i d e d t o i n j u r e d workers w i l l be s u b j e c t t o t h e same s t a n d a r d s
of q u a l i t y c a r e as o t h e r m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s d e l i v e r e d by h e a l t h
providers.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h c a r e system t o work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t w i l l be
i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works t o w a r d
m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r h e a l t h care system.
�PUBLIC HEALTH
�n
tr.ar t h e Adm.ir.is"racier, c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
me prcposai .
fcrm.ulacmc
So r.any c f m e h e a l t h h a b i t s we m a i n t a i n as a d u l t s are
l e a r n e d when we a r e c h i l d r e n . Because o f t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f e a r l ;
e d u c a t i o n , a c e n t r a l component o f my h e a l t h care r e f o r m proposal s comprehensive s c h o o l h e a l t h e d u c a t i o n and s c h o o l - r e l a t e d
h e a l t h s e r v i c e s programs. The programs address a v a r i e t y o f
i s s u e s , such as community h e a l t h , p e r s o n a l h e a l t h , n u t r i t i o n a l
h e a l t h , and g r o w t h and development.
A p r i m a r y c b - e c t i v e of h e a l t h e d u c a t i o n i s t o t a r g e t
and reduce t h e h e a l t h r i s k b e h a v i o r s a c c o u n t i n g f c r t h e h i g h
m o r b i d i t y and m c r t a i i t y r a t e s among y o u t h and a d u l t s .
Health
e d u c a t i o n w i l l oe used at a p p r o p r i a t e ages t o i n c r e a s e awareness
about s a f e t y and t h e p r e v e n t i o n o f i n j u r i e s ; tobacco, a l c o h o l ,
and o t n e r drug abuse; s e x u a l b e h a v i o r s t h a t i n c r e a s e r i s k o f
i n f e c t i o n of HIV and o t n e r s e x u a l l y t r a n s m i t t e d d i s e a s e s ; and
d i e t a r y p a t t e r n s and s e d e n t a r y l i f e s t y l e s t h a t l e a d t o d i s e a s e .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
-= •
h e a i t h care system t c make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope ycu
w i l l wcrk w i t h m e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a i l Americans.
�Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about adolescent h e a l t h issues and t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a i t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This i s an issue t h a t the
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the prooosal .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r c p o s a i creates a new adolescent h e a l t h
program t o p r o v i d e primary care s e r v i c e s w i t h an emphasis on
outreach, p r e v e n t i o n , h e a i t h education, and h e a l t h promotion, as
w e l l as mental h e a l t h and substance abuse c o u n s e l i n g . The program
w i l l t a r g e t areas w i t h h i g h r a t e s o f p o v e r t y , adolescent pregnancy,
s e x u a l l y t r a n s m i t t e d diseases, substance abuse, community o r gang
v i o l e n c e , and unemployment. New h e a l t h care c l i n i c s w i l l be
e s t a b l i s h e d through the sponsorship o f l o c a l schools, community
h e a l t h programs, and s o c i a l s e r v i c e o r g a n i z a t i o n s , t o promote
h e a l t h y behaviors f o r young people.
I n a d d i t i o n , t h e President's h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l b u i l d s
on school-based and school - l i n k e d h e a l t h c l i n i c s t h a t have been
proven e f f e c t i v e i n reducing teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and
t r u a n c y . A d d i t i o n a l f u n d i n g w i l l be a v a i l a b l e t o help these c l i n i c s
p r o v i d e p h y s i c a l and mental h e a l t h promotion and t o increase
awareness about h i g h - r i s k behavior.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l
work w i t h t h e President t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans .
�Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your l e t t e r
you expressed concern about treatment f o r i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h HIV o r
AIDS under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l . This i s an
issue t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g
the p r o p o s a l .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s approach t c h e a l t h care reform guarantees every
American, i n c l u d i n g people w i t h HIV o r AIDS, p r i v a t e insurance
coverage t h a t can never be taken away. I n a d d i t i o n , u n f a i r
insurance p r a c t i c e s now used t o exclude people w i t h HIV o r AIDS w i l l
be i l l e g a l .
Insurance companies w i l l no longer be able t o deny
coverage because o f p r e - e x i s t i n g c o n d i t i o n s , charge h i g h e r premiums
based on h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n , or use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o c u t o f f
benefits .
Persons w i t h HIV or AIDS w i l l be able t o e n r o l l i n any h e a l t h
p l a n and r e c e i v e t h e comprehensive b e n e f i t s package a t t h e same
community r a t e s p a i d by everyone e l s e w i t h i n t h e i r area. The
comprehensive b e n e f i t s package i n c l u d e s coverage o f p r e s c r i p t i o n
drugs, home care, and long-term care. I t l i m i t s t h e amount p a t i e n t s
may be r e q u i r e d t o spend o u t - o f - p o c k e t each year t o $1,500 per
i n d i v i d u a l and $3,000 per f a m i l y . The P r e s i d e n t ' s approach supports
the Ryan White programs and o t h e r r e l a t e d programs . I n a d d i t i o n , i t
expands f u n d i n g f o r research, e d u c a t i o n , and p r e v e n t i o n e f f o r t s
r e l a t e d t o HIV t r a n s m i s s i o n and p r o v i d e s new resources f o r o t h e r
public health i n i t i a t i v e s .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l , ^ work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans.
�PH I'-hO
•J
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m . I n y o u r l e t t e r
you e x p r e s s e d c o n c e r n a b o u t t r e a t m e n t f o r A m e r i c a n I n d i a n s u n d e r t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m p r o p o s a i . T h i s i s an i s s u e t h a t t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r c p o s a i r e c o g n i z e s t h e u n i q u e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y
cf t h e U n i t e d States t o p r o v i d e h e a l t h care t o American I n d i a n s . I t
s t r e n g t h e n s t h e I n d i a n H e a l t h S e r v i c e and p r e s e r v e s t h e a b i l i t y o f
t r i b e s t o o p e r a t e t h e i r own h e a l t h f a c i l i t i e s .
T r i b a l governments
w i l l have expanded f l e x i b i l i t y t o d e v i s e h e a l t h c a r e systems t h a t
work f o r them.
Under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p l a n a c o m p r e h e n s i v e b e n e f i t s package
p r o v i d e s s e r v i c e s d e s p e r a t e l y needed b y A m e r i c a n I n d i a n s , i n c l u d i n g
a w i d e range o f p r e v e n t i v e s e r v i c e s s u c h as r o u t i n e c l i n i c i a n
v i s i t s , i m m u n i z a t i o n s , mammogram, c h o l e s t e r o l s c r e e n i n g , h o s p i t a l
and h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l s e r v i c e s , home h e a l t h c a r e , and m e n t a l
h e a l t h care.
I n a d d i t i o n , P u b l i c H e a l t h S e r v i c e p r o g r a m s w i l l be
expanded t o i m p r o v e a c c e s s t o a v a i l a b l e s e r v i c e s i n r e m o t e a r e a s ,
expand p u b l i c h e a l t h and p r e v e n t i o n a c t i v i t i e s , and p r o v i d e h e a l t h
c a r e t h a t i s s e n s i t i v e t o t h e d i v e r s e l a n g u a g e s and c u l t u r e s o f
American I n d i a n s .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r
h e a l t h c a r e s y s t e m t o make i t work f o r a l l o f u s . I hope y o u w i l l
work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l
Americans .
�PH170
MINORITY GROUPS:
LATINOS/HISPANICS
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about the way i n which h e a l t h care
reform w i l l impact Latino and Hispanic Americans across the
country. This i s an issue t h a t the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered
c a r e f u l l y while f o r m u l a t i n g the President's h e a l t h care reform
proposal.
As America's f a s t e s t growing m i n o r i t y group w i t h a unique
set o f c u l t u r a l and l i n g u i s t i c needs, Latinos/Hispanics are the
s i n g l e group most a t r i s k of going without care and coverage
today. The President's proposal w i l l ensure t h a t every American,
i n c l u d i n g a l l L a t i n o and Hispanic c i t i z e n s , w i l l be e l i g i b l e f o r
comprehensive h e a l t h coverage t h a t can never be taken away.
Every American w i l l receive a Health S e c u r i t y card t h a t w i l l
guarantee coverage f o r a comprehensive package o f b e n e f i t s . The
b e n e f i t s include h o s p i t a l and p r o f e s s i o n a l services, p r e s c r i p t i o n
drugs, hospice and home care, mental i l l n e s s and substance abuse
services, and other services. The proposal emphasizes the
importance o f prevention by p r o v i d i n g a wide range o f preventive
services, w i t h o u t cost sharing, such as p r e n a t a l care, well-baby
care and p e r i o d i c t e s t s , such as mammograms, and immunizations.
The President's proposal includes an access i n i t i a t i v e t o
support community and migrant h e a l t h centers and t o develop
community p r a c t i c e networks which i n t e g r a t e p r i v a t e and p u b l i c l y funded h e a l t h care o r g a n i z a t i o n s . To f u r t h e r improve access, the
proposal includes supplemental services such as t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ,
community and p a t i e n t outreach, education and t r a n s l a t i o n
services. Coverage w i l l be ensured f o r migrant l a b o r e r s and
t h e i r f a m i l i e s as they move from s t a t e t o s t a t e .
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
�H
!Z0
Thank ycu f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform..
I n ycur
l e t t e r you expressed concern about women's h e a l t h and o r e v e n t i v e
care under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m
proposal.
This
i s an i s s u e t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e h e a l t h r e f o r m p r o c e s s , women's
h e a l t h and p r e v e n t i v e care concerns have been a t t h e core o f t h e
effort.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l emphasizes
the k i n d s o f care and r e s e a r c h t h a t promotes and p r o t e c t s women's
health.
Under t h e p l a n , a l l women a r e g u a r a n t e e d coverage
r e g a r d l e s s o f h e a l t h s t a t u s , m a r i t a l s t a t u s , employment s t a t u s ,
o r a b i l i t y t o pay. Women a r e g u a r a n t e e d a comprehensive package
of b e n e f i t s t h a t w i l l i n c l u d e f r e e coverage o f a wide range o f
p r e v e n t i v e s e r v i c e s , i n c l u d i n g mammogram, Pap smears, d i a g n o s t i c
s e r v i c e s , and p r e n a t a l c a r e .
There a r e a l s o p r o v i s i o n s i n t h e
p r o p o s a l t h a t cover f a m i l y p l a n n i n g s e r v i c e s .
Research
i n i t i a t i v e s w i l l focus on women's h e a l t h concerns such as b r e a s t ,
o v a r i a n , and c e r v i c a l cancer.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s approach i n c l u d e s a schedule o f p r e v e n t i v e
s c r e e n i n g s , t e s t s , and checkups covered i n o n l y a few o f t o d a y ' s
h e a l t h insurance p o l i c i e s .
These i n c l u d e r e g u l a r mammogram f c r
women w i t h a c l o s e f a m i l y h i s t o r y o f b r e a s t cancer and w i l l be
c o v e r e d under t h e r e g u l a r c o s t s h a r i n g p r o v i s i o n s , l i k e o t h e r
medical procedures.
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you
w i l l work w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
f o r a l l Americans.
�so to o
STUDENTS: COLLEGE
HEALTH CARE
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform.
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about college h e a l t h care programs
under the President's h e a l t h care reform proposal.
This i s an
issue t h a t the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y while
f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
Under the President's h e a l t h care reform proposal, students,
whether o r not they are dependents, w i l l have comprehensive
h e a l t h coverage l i k e a l l Americans. Students may e n r o l l i n a
h e a l t h plan o f f e r e d by the r e g i o n a l a l l i a n c e i n the area i n which
t h e i r school i s located or may remain i n the a l l i a n c e i n the
s t a t e i n which t h e i r f a m i l y i s e n r o l l e d . Their p a r t i c u l a r
c o l l e g e h e a l t h center program may operate as a h e a l t h plan o r as
a p r o v i d e r w i t h i n a h e a l t h plan.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l of us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
�RE10 0
Mmmm
RESEARCH
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g abouc h e a l t h care r e f o r m .
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about h e a l t h r e s e a r c h under t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l . T h i s i s an i s s u e t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n considered c a r e f u l l y while f o r m u l a t i n g the
proposal.
The h i s t o r y o f American medicine i s i n l a r g e p a r t t h e s t o r y
of tremendous advances i n b i o m e d i c a l r e s e a r c h t h a t have saved
l i v e s , improved t h e q u a l i t y o f care, and h e l p e d reduce h e a l t h
care c o s t s . C o n t i n u i n g and expanding h e a l t h r e s e a r c h i s an
i m p o r t a n t component o f t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l .
U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e c r u c i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p between c o n t i n u e d
b i o m e d i c a l r e s e a r c h and i n c r e a s e d e f f i c i e n c i e s i n h e a i t h care
d e l i v e r y , t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l w i l l expand p r e v e n t i o n
research through increased funding t o the National I n s t i t u t e s of
H e a l t h . Research f u n d i n g w i l l be d i r e c t e d toward r e s e a r c h
l e a d i n g t o advances i n p r o m o t i n g h e a l t h and p r e v e n t i n g d i s e a s e s ,
d i s o r d e r s , and o t h e r h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n s i n c l u d i n g A l z h e i m e r ' s
d i s e a s e , b r e a s t cancer, h e a r t d i s e a s e , and s t r o k e . P r e v e n t i o n
r e s e a r c h i s t i e d t o one o f t h e u n d e r l y i n g p r i n c i p l e s o f t h e
p r o p o s a l -- p r o m o t i n g a h e a l t h i e r p o p u l a t i o n .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l a l s o expands r e s e a r c h on t h e
e f f e c t i v e n e s s and a p p r o p r i a t e n e s s o f c l i n i c a l p r a c t i c e . P r i o r i t y
areas i n c l u d e q u a l i t y and outcomes r e s e a r c h and t h e d i s s e m i n a t i o n
o f c l i n i c a l p r a c t i c e g u i d e l i n e s t h a t w i l l save l i v e s and money i n
the l o n g r u n .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change t o o u r h e a l t h care system.
�US10 0
UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES:
RURAL & URBAN
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform. I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about how the President's h e a l t h
care reform proposal w i l l address the needs of those Americans i n
urban and r u r a l areas who are o f t e n overlooked by e x i s t i n g h e a l t h
care programs.
The President recognizes t h a t -- while u n i v e r s a l coverage i s
an e s s e n t i a l step toward guaranteeing h e a l t h care f o r a l l
Americans - - a Health S e c u r i t y Card alone w i l l not ensure t h a t
a l l Americans receive a p p r o p r i a t e medical care, needed support
services and an adequate choice o f providers and h e a l t h plans.
The President's proposal, t h e r e f o r e , includes a number o f
programs t o improve access t o h e a l t h care.
The President's proposal increases funding f o r community and
migrant h e a l t h centers. I n a d d i t i o n , a new c a p a c i t y expansion
program w i l l be a v a i l a b l e t o community and migrant h e a l t h centers
as w e l l as o t h e r p r o v i d e r s i n m e d i c a l l y underserved areas t o
b u i l d and improve h e a l t h care f a c i l i t i e s and t o l i n k primary care
p r o v i d e r s w i t h i n p a t i e n t i n s t i t u t i o n s through i n f o r m a t i o n systems
and telecommunications.
Funding i s also increased f o r
t r a n s l a t i o n , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , c h i l d - c a r e and other outreach
s e r v i c e s . F i n a l l y , new workforce i n i t i a t i v e s i n c l u d i n g t a x
i n c e n t i v e s , increased reimbursement, r e t r a i n i n g , scholarships and
loan forgiveness programs w i l l encourage h e a l t h care p r o v i d e r s t o
p r a c t i c e i n underserved areas.
A t r u l y improved h e a l t h care system must meet the needs of
a l l Americans, i n c l u d i n g those i n urban and r u r a l areas. Your
support w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o the President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n
works toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care
system.
�US110
M
M
UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES
RURAL
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g abouc h e a i c h care r e f o r m . I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about how t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h
c a r e r e f o r m p r o p o s a l w i l l address t h e needs o f Americans l i v i n g
i n r u r a l areas.
T h i s i s an i s s u e t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d
c a r e f u l l y while formulating the proposal.
Today, over 400,000 Americans i n r u r a l areas l i v e i n
c o u n t i e s w i t h o u t a s i n g l e d o c t o r and 34 m i l l i o n people l i v e i n
r u r a l areas w i t h inadequace h e a l t h c a r e . The P r e s i d e n t ' s
p r o p o s a l improves access t o h e a l t h care s e r v i c e s t o Americans
l i v i n g i n u n d e r s e r v e d areas by g u a r a n t e e i n g a comprehensive s e t
of b e n e f i t s t h a t can never be t a k e n away. The p r o p o s a l a l s o
t a k e s a d d i t i o n a l s t e p s t o improve access t o care i n r u r a l areas.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l encourages d o c t o r s , nurses and
o t h e r h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l s t o serve i n r u r a l areas.
The N a t i o n a l
H e a l t h S e r v i c e Corps i s expanded, p l a c i n g a t l e a s t 3,000 p r i m a r y
c a r e p r a c t i t i o n e r s i n r u r a l areas by t h e y e a r 2000. I n a d d i t i o n ,
new w o r k f o r c e i n i t i a t i v e s , i n c l u d i n g t a x i n c e n t i v e s , i n c r e a s e d
reimbursement, r e t r a i n i n g , s c h o l a r s h i p s , and l o a n f o r g i v e n e s s
programs, s u p p o r t h e a l t h care p r o v i d e r s p r a c t i c i n g i n u n d e r s e r v e d
r u r a l areas.
For t h e f i r s t f i v e years a f t e r i m p l e m e n t a t i o n ,
p r a c t i t i o n e r s and f a c i l i t i e s i n u n d e r s e r v e d areas may be
d e s i g n a t e d " e s s e n t i a l p r o v i d e r s " e l i g i b l e f o r f e d e r a l g r a n t s and
l o a n s . A l l h e a l t h p l a n s must c o n t r a c t w i t h these e s s e n t i a l
providers.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l encourages c o o p e r a t i v e
r e l a t i o n s h i p s among r u r a l and urban p r o v i d e r s , t h e development o f
i n f o r m a t i o n s h a r i n g c a p a b i l i t i e s and a r e f e r r a l mechanism t o l i n k
academic h e a l t h c e n t e r s and r u r a l h e a l t h p r o v i d e r s . I n a d d i t i o n ,
the p r o p o s a l p r o v i d e s s u p p o r t f o r s u p p l e m e n t a l s e r v i c e s f o r
u n d e r s e r v e d communities, such as t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , community
o u t r e a c h and e d u c a t i o n and t r a n s l a t i o n s e r v i c e s . The p r o p o s a l
a l s o e n s u r e s t h a t p a t i e n t s r e s i d i n g i n r u r a l areas w i l l have
access t o t h e t e c h n o l o g y and q u a l i t y h e a l t h care as those i n
urban areas.
A t r u l y improved h e a l t h care system must meet t h e needs o f
a l l Americans, i n c l u d i n g those i n m e d i c a l l y u n d e r s e r v e d areas.
Your s u p p o r t w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r
h e a l t h c a r e system.
�UP10 0
J H i M
UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a i t h care r e f o r m .
I n your
l e t t e r you expressed concern about coverage o f undocumented
persons under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l .
This
i s an i s s u e t h a t t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n c o n s i d e r e d c a r e f u l l y w h i l e
formulating the proposal.
Under t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l , undocumented w o r k e r s and
r e s i d e n t s a r e n o t e l i g i b l e f o r t h e comprehensive package o f
b e n e f i t s p r o v i d e d t o American c i t i z e n s .
However, these
i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l have access t o emergency and o t h e r h e a l t h
s e r v i c e s under M e d i c a i d as t h e y do today.
The f e d e r a l government
w i l l m a i n t a i n f u n d i n g f o r community and m i g r a n t h e a l t h c e n t e r s
t h a t serve l a r g e numbers o f undocumented persons.
I n addition,
t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p o s a l p r o v i d e s compensation t o h o s p i t a l s t h a t
care f o r s i g n i f i c a n t numbers o f t h e i n d i g e n t , i n c l u d i n g
undocumented persons t h r o u g h a " v u l n e r a b l e p o p u l a t i o n s " f u n d .
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r h e a l t h care system.
�••jrt
�R Io o
Thank y c u f o r w r i t i n g a b o u t h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m .
The P r e s i d e :
: e a i t h c a r e r e f o r m p r c o c s a i r e s p o n d s d i r e c t l y t o t h e c r i s i s c u r na:
;cw f a c e s i n h e a l t h c a r e .
A t some p o i n t d u r i n g t h e y e a r 55 m i l !
tne P r e s i u e n t wants t c s t r e n g t n e n wnat's r i g h t a o c u t c u r n e a i t n t a r e
s y s t e m and f i x w h a t ' s wrong.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s p r c o c s a l works t n e
f e l l o w i n g way :
G u a r a n t e e d p r i v a t e i n s u r a n c e . E v e r y A m e r i c a n w i l l oe g u a r a n t e e d
p r i v a t e c o m p r e h e n s i v e i n s u r a n c e c o v e r a g e t h a t can n e v e r be t a k e n
away.
Choice.
A i l A m e r i c a n s w i l l have t h e r i g h t t c choose t h e i r own
d o c t o r and h e a l t h p l a n .
I t w i l l be t h e i n d i v i d u a l , n o t t h e
e m p l o y e r o r i n s u r a n c e company, who w i l l make t h i s
important
choice.
Outlaw u n f a i r insurance p r a c t i c e s .
I t w i l l be i l l e g a l f o r
i n s u r a n c e companies t c d r o p c o v e r a g e o r c u t b e n e f i t s ; i n c r e a s e
r a t e s b e c a u s e e f s i c k n e s s ; use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o c u t o f f
b e n e f i t s ; o r c h a r g e o l d e r p e o p l e more t h a n t h e young. T h i s w i l l
maKe i t p o s s i b l e f o r a i l A m e r i c a n s t o o b t a i n d e p e n d a b l e and
a f f o r d a b l e insurance.
Preserve Medicare.
O l d e r A m e r i c a n s have a r i g h t t o depend en
M e d i c a r e and cheese t h e i r own d o c t o r s .
The P r e s i d e n t
will
p r o t e c t and s t r e n g t h e n Medicare by c o v e r i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs
and p r o v i d i n g new o p t i o n s f o r l o n g - t e r m c a r e i n t h e home and t h e
community.
H e a l t h b e n e f i t s guaranteed a t work.
E v e r y l o b s h o u l d come w i t h
n e a i t h b e n e f i t s . The g o v e r n m e n t w i l l p r o v i d e d i s c c u n t s f o r s m a l l
b u s i n e s s e s and h e l p cover t h e u n e m p l o y e d .
T h i s n a t i o n new has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change o u r h e a i t h
c a r e s y s t e m t o make i t wcrk f o r a l l o f u s . I hope y o u w i l l work w i t h
t h e P r e s i d e n t t c make h e a i t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l A m e r i c a n s .
�•mmam
HR101
HEALTH CARE REFORM:
PRO
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care and f o r expressing
your support f o r the President's h e a l t h care reform proposal.
The President's h e a l t h care reform proposal responds d i r e c t l y t o
the c r i s i s our n a t i o n now faces i n h e a l t h care. At some p o i n t
d u r i n g the year 58 m i l l i o n Americans go without insurance, and 2
m i l l i o n Americans lose t h e i r insurance each month.
I n an e f f o r t t o give Americans the h e a l t h s e c u r i t y they
deserve, the President wants t o strengthen what's r i g h t about our
h e a l t h care system and f i x what's wrong. The President's
proposal works the f o l l o w i n g way:
Guaranteed p r i v a t e insurance. Every American w i l l be
guaranteed p r i v a t e comprehensive insurance coverage t h a t can
never be taken away.
Choice. A l l Americans w i l l have the r i g h t t o choose t h e i r
own doctor and h e a l t h p l a n . I t w i l l be the i n d i v i d u a l , not
the employer o r insurance company, who w i l l make t h i s
important choice.
Outlaw u n f a i r insurance p r a c t i c e s . I t w i l l be i l l e g a l f o r
insurance companies t o drop coverage o r c u t b e n e f i t s ;
increase r a t e s because o f sickness; use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o
cut o f f b e n e f i t s ; o r charge o l d e r people more than the
young. This w i l l help make i t p o s s i b l e f o r a l l Americans t o
o b t a i n dependable and a f f o r d a b l e insurance.
Preserve Medicare. Older Americans have a r i g h t t o depend
on Medicare and choose t h e i r own doctors. The President
w i l l p r o t e c t and strengthen Medicare by covering
p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs and p r o v i d i n g new options f o r long-term
care i n the home and t h e community.
H e a l t h b e n e f i t s guaranteed a t work. Every j o b should come
w i t h h e a l t h b e n e f i t s . The government w i l l provide discounts
f o r small businesses and help cover the unemployed.
This n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o reform our
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your support
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e President as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
toward meaningful and l a s t i n g change i n our h e a l t h care system.
�H Flo o
Thank ycu v e r y much f c r your t h o u g h t f u l and c o m p e l l i n g l e t t e r .
I am honored and couched t h a t you chose t o share ycur personal,
experiences.
The i i f f i c u _ t i e s a n i f r u s t r a t i o n you nave cesorihec appear t c ce
ihormous one i l l u s t r a t e e n a c t l y . / y ve need reform. '~~ seme ".cent
•n
i u n n g one year EE m i l l i o n Americans go •.•/itnout insurance
-no
1 m i l l i o n Americans lose o n e i r insurance eacn mcnth.
The P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l w i l l guarantee every
American p r i v a t e insurance coverage t h a t can never be taken away. I n
a d d i t i o n , t h e p r o p o s a l outlaws u n f a i r insurance p r a c t i c e s . I t w i l l be
i l l e g a l f o r insurance companies t o drop coverage o r c u t b e n e f i t s ,
i n c r e a s e r a t e s because of s i c k n e s s , use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o c u t o f f
b e n e f i t s , and charge o l d e r people more than t h e young.
This nation- new has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our h e a l t h
care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. I hope you w i l l wcrk w i t h
the P r e s i d e n t t c make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a l l Americans.
�RI10 0
J H M V
REQUEST FOR
INFORMATION
Dear:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care r e f o r m . I n response
to your request f o r i n f o r m a t i o n concerning the President's h e a l t h
care r e f o r m p r o p o s a l , e n c l o s e d p l e a s e f i n d a summary o f t h e
proposal.
I n a d d i t i o n t h e f o l l o w i n g documents a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r
y o u r purchase w i t h a check o r money o r d e r :
o
" H e a l t h S e c u r i t y : The P r e s i d e n t ' s Report
Stock Number 040-000-006-338
$5 .00
o
"The H e a l t h S e c u r i t y A c t "
Stock Number 040-000-006-346
$45.00
You may o b t a i n these documents d i r e c t l y
o
U n i t e d S t a t e s Government P r i n t i n g
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f Documents
P.O. Box 371954
P i t t s b u r g h , PA 15250-7954
t o America"
from:
office
T h i s n a t i o n now has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o r e f o r m o u r
h e a l t h care system t o make i t work f o r a l l o f us. Your s u p p o r t
w i l l be i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e P r e s i d e n t as h i s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n works
t o w a r d m e a n i n g f u l and l a s t i n g change i n o u r h e a l t h care system.
�Thank ycu f c r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care refcrir. and f c r s h a r i n g
w i t h us your suggestions and comments on t h i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t i s s u e .
The P r e s i d e n t ' s h e a l t h care reform p r o p o s a l responds d i r e c t l y t c tne
c r i s i s c u r n a t i c n new faces i n h e a i t h care. At some p o i n t d u r i n g tha •
year 55 mi 111 cn Amer i cans gc w i t h o u t insurance, and 1 m i l l i o n Americans r i g h t about cur hea.tn care system and f i x wnat's
P r e s i d e n t ' s p r o p c s a i works t h e f o l l o w i n g way:
wrong.
The
Guaranteed p r i v a t e i n s u r a n c e . Every American w i l l be guaranteed
p r i v a t e comprehensive insurance coverage t h a t can never oe taken
away.
Choice. A l l Americans w i l l have t h e r i g h t t o choose t h e i r own
d o c t o r and h e a l t h p l a n .
I t w i l l be t h e i n d i v i d u a l , n o t t h e
empicyer o r insurance company, who w i l l make t h i s i m p o r t a n t
choice
Outlaw u n f a i r i n s u r a n c e p r a c t i c e s .
I t w i l l be i l l e g a l f c r
insurance companies t o drop coverage o r c u t b e n e f i t s ; i n c r e a s e
r a t e s because o f sickness,- use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o c u t o f f
benefits,- o r charge o l d e r people more than t h e young. This w i l l
make i t p o s s i b l e f c r a l l Americans t o o b t a i n dependable and
a f f o r d a b l e insurance.
Preserve Medicare.
Older Americans have a r i g h t t o depend on
Medicare and choose t h e i r own d o c t o r s .
The P r e s i d e n t w i l l ,
p r o t e c t and s t r e n g t h e n Medicare by c o v e r i n g p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs
and p r o v i d i n g new o p t i o n s f o r l o n g - t e r m care i n t h e home and t h e
community.
H e a l t h b e n e f i t s guaranteed a t work. Every j o b should come w i t h
n e a l t n b e n e f i t s . The government w i l l p r o v i d e d i s c o u n t s f o r s m a l l
businesses and help cover t h e unemployed.
This n a t i o n new has an h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our healthcare system t o make i t wcrk f o r a l l of us. I hope you w i l l work w i t h
ihe P r e s i d e n t t o make h e a l t h s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y f o r a i l Americans.
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Health Care Task Force Records
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
White House Health Care Task Force
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
<a href="https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10443060" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Description
An account of the resource
<p>This collection contains records on President Clinton’s efforts to overhaul the health care system in the United States. In 1993 he appointed First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to be the head of the Health Care Task Force (HCTF). She traveled across the country holding hearings, conferred with Senators and Representatives, and sought advice from sources outside the government in an attempt to repair the health care system in the United States. However, the administration’s health care plan, introduced to Congress as the Health Security Act, failed to pass in 1994.</p>
<p>Due to the vast amount of records from the Health Care Task Force the collection has been divided into segments. Segments will be made available as they are digitized.</p>
<p><a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=43&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2006-0885-F+Segment+1"><strong>Segment One</strong></a><br /> This collection consists of Ira Magaziner’s Health Care Task Force files including: correspondence, reports, news clippings, press releases, and publications. Ira Magaziner a Senior Advisor to President Clinton for Policy Development was heavily involved in health care reform. Magaziner assisted the Task Force by coordinating health care policy development through numerous working groups. Magaziner and the First Lady were the President’s primary advisors on health care. The Health Care Task Force eventually produced the administration’s health care plan, introduced to Congress as the Health Security Act. This bill failed to pass in 1994.<br /> Contains 1065 files from 109 boxes.</p>
<p><a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=43&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2006-0885-F+Segment+2"><strong>Segment Two</strong></a><br /> This segment consists of records describing the efforts of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to get health care reform through Congress. This collection consists of correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, memos, papers, and reports. A significant feature of the records are letters from constituents describing their feelings about health care reform and disastrous financial situations they found themselves in as the result of inadequate or inappropriate health insurance coverage. The collection also contains records created by Robert Boorstin, Roger Goldblatt, Steven Edelstein, Christine Heenan, Lynn Margherio, Simone Rueschemeyer, Meeghan Prunty, Marjorie Tarmey, and others.<br /> Contains 697 files from 47 boxes.</p>
<p><a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=43&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2006-0885-F+Segment+3"><strong>Segment Three</strong></a><br /> The majority of the records in this collection consist of reports, polls, and surveys concerning nearly all aspects of health care; many letters from the public, medical professionals and organizations, and legislators to the Task Force concerning its mission; as well as the telephone message logs of the Task Force.<br /> Contains 592 files from 44 boxes.</p>
<p><a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=43&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2006-0885-F+Segment+4"><strong>Segment Four</strong></a><br /> This collection consists of records describing the efforts of the Clinton Administration to pass the Health Security Act, which would have reformed the health care system of the United States. This collection contains memoranda, correspondence, handwritten notes, reports, charts, graphs, bills, drafts, booklets, pamphlets, lists, press releases, schedules, newspaper articles, and faxes. The collection contains lists of experts from the field of medicine willing to testify to the viability of the Health Security Act. Much of the remaining material duplicates records from the previous segments.<br /> Contains 590 files from 52 boxes.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=43&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2006-0885-F+Segment+5">Segment Five</a></strong><br /> This collection of the Health Care Task Force records consists of materials from the files of Robert Boorstin, Alice Dunscomb, Richard Veloz and Walter Zelman. The files contain memoranda, correspondence, handwritten notes, reports, charts, graphs, bills, drafts, booklets, pamphlets, lists, press releases, schedules, statements, surveys, newspaper articles, and faxes. Much of the material in this segment duplicates records from the previous segments.<br /> Contains 435 files from 47 boxes.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=43&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=2006-0885-F+Segment+6">Segment Six</a></strong><br /> This collection consists of the files of the Health Care Task Force, focusing on material from Jack Lew and Lynn Margherio. Lew’s records reflect a preoccupation with figures, statistics, and calculations of all sorts. Graphs and charts abound on the effect reform of the health care system would have on the federal budget. Margherio, a Senior Policy Analyst on the Domestic Policy Council, has documents such as: memoranda, notes, summaries, and articles on individuals (largely doctors) deemed to be experts on the Health Security Act of 1993 qualified to travel across the country and speak to groups in glowing terms about the groundbreaking initiative put forward by President Clinton in his first year in the White House. <br /> Contains 804 files from 40 boxes.</p>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0885-F
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Paper
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[HCIC [Health Care Information Center] Health Care Reform HRC Form Letters] [binder]
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
White House Health Care Task Force
Health Care Task Force
Roger Goldblatt
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0885-F Segment 3
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Box 9
<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36148" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="https://catalog.archives.gov/id/12092974" target="_blank">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Medium
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Reproduction-Reference
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
3/16/2015
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
42-t-12092974-20060885F-Seg3-009-004-2015
12092974