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FOIA Number: 2006-0810-F
FOIA
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:
First Lady's Office
Series/Staff" Member:
First Lady's Correspondence
Subseries:
Alice Pushkar: Form Letter Materials
OA/ID Number:
15641
FolderlD:
Folder Title:
[Health Care Reform Coding Manual] [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
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58
1
11
3
�. THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Health Care
Reform
Coding Manual
�THE WHITE
WASH
HOUSE
INGTON
�HEALTH CARE REFORM INFORMATION CENTER
CODING MANUAL
Index Paqe
I.
GUARANTEED PRIVATE INSURANCE AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
CH
CV
CV
CV
HP
LC
MC
MH
II.
110
100
130
180
120
140
150
100
Children w i t h D i s a b i l i t i e s
Coverage/Benefits
Coverage f o r Part Time Workers
Longterm and Community Care
Dental and Orthodontic Coverage
Adults w i t h 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 Health
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
QUALITY AND CHOICE
CC
CC
CN
HP
QC
100
140
100
110
100
Consumer Choice of Doctors & Health Plans..1
Provider Choice
2
Confidentiality
3
Health Care P r o f e s s i o n a l s — Chiropractors..4
Q u a l i t y Care
5
I I I . COST ISSUES
AR
IN
P
W
MA
MC
MC
MC
MC
ST
SV
IV.
100
100
100
100
100
120
180
190
100
100
A n t i - t r u s t Reform
Insurance Reform
Paperwork: Streamlining
i
Malpractice & Tort Reform
Medical Cost Containment (General)
Fraud and Abuse
Medical C o s t s — Low Income Subsidy
Medical Costs- I n d i v i d u a l Premium
Sin Tax
Cost Savings and U.S. Competitiveness
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SENIORS 6 GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
GP
GP
GP
GP
PC
SN
SY
TR
120
130
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— Federal Employees
Medicaid
VA Health Care (Veterans)
President and Congress
Senior C i t i z e n s
Single Payer System
T r a n s i t i o n t o New Health Care System
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
�HEALTH CARE REFORM INFORMATION CENTER
CODING MANUAL
INDEX PAGE 2
V.
WORKPLACE
GP
LE
SB
SE
UN
W
C
VI.
110
100
100
100
100
100
COBRA
Large Employers
Small Businesses
Self Employed
Unions
Workers Compensation
1
2
3
4
5
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
Health Education (General)
Adolescent
AIDS/HIV
M i n o r i t y Groups—American Indian
M i n o r i t y Groups—Latinos/Hispanics
Women's Health Issues
College Students
Research
Migrant and Community Health Centers
Underserved Communities (Rural Only)
Undocumented P e r s o n s / I l l e g a l Immigrants
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Health Care Reform General
Health Care Reform General (Supportive)
Heartfelt
Request f o r Information
Views and Suggestions (General)
1
2
3
4
5
V I I . OTHER
HR
HR
HF
RI
VS
100
101
100
100
100
�Clinton Presidential Records
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marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
�Children with Disabilities
CH 110
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform. You expressed concern about
the treatment of children with disabilities under the President's health care reform proposal. This
is an issue that the Administration considered carefully while formulating the proposal.
Under the President's proposal, all Americans, including children with disabilities, are
guaranteed a comprehensive package of benefits at the same rates. Moreover, there will be no
lifetime 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
orthotic devices. In addition, the plan includes thefittingof 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
Intal disabilities, regardless of their family's income. The proposal also improves Medicaid
nefits 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 for research on prenatal and perinatal health, birth defects, childhood
diseases, unintentional injuries, and learning and cognitive development.
This nation now has a 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.
(06/08/94)
�coverage/Benefits
CV 100
Thaiik you for sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn. You expressed concern about benefits under the
President's health care refonn proposal. This i s an issue that
the Administration considered carefully while formulating the
proposal.
The benefits provided i n the President's proposal are
comprehensive. The package includes a broad range of c l i n i c a l
preventive services, including regular checkups, prenatal care,
well-baby care, immunizations, cholesterol screening, mammograms,
and Pap smears without cost sharing. I t also includes hospital
and professional services, prescription drugs, hospice and
home care, durable medical equipment, mental health and substance
abuse treatment, and other services. These benefits are not
permitted to be subject to lifetime l i m i t s .
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Coverage for Part Time Workers
CV 130
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about the status o f part-time 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 formulating t h e
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 part-time workers.
Under t h e President's
proposal,
part-time 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 o f t h e i r h e a l t h insurance premiums based on t h e number
of hours worked.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Longterm and Community Care
CV 180
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about home- and community-based
care 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 w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The b e n e f i t s provided i n the President's proposal are
comprehensive. The package includes a broad range o f c l i n i c a l
preventive services, 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 , w e l l baby care, immunizations, p r e n a t a l care, c h o l e s t e r o l screening,
mammograms, and Pap smears without cost sharing. I t also
includes h o s p i t a l and p r o f e s s i o n a l services, f a m i l y planning
services and services f o r pregnant women, p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs,
hospice and home care, durable medical equipment, mental h e a l t h
and substance abuse treatment, and other services. These
b e n e f i t s are n o t permitted t o be subject t o l i f e t i m e l i m i t s .
The President's approach recognizes t h a t older Americans and
those 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
care — the k i n d o f care not covered today. I t w i l l provide
greater coverage f o r long-term care f o r people 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 older Americans, through a new home- and communitybased care program.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Dental and Orthodontic Coverage
HP 120
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about dental care under t h e
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 formulating t h e
proposal.
Under the President's h e a l t h care reform proposal, a l l
American c i t i z e n s and l e g a l r e s i d e n t s 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 never be taken
away*. Included i n t h i s package w i l l be prevention and diagnosis
of dental disease, i n c l u d i n g o r a l d e n t a l examinations,
radiographs, dental sealants, 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
prophylaxis. 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 the age o f 18. A f t e r t h i s date,
a l l o f these services, except sealants, w i l l be covered f o r a l l
Americans.
Treatment o f dental 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 genetic defects, p e r i o d o n t a l maintenance, and
endodontic services, w i l l also be included. This too w i l l be
a v a i l a b l e only 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 services except
endodontic services w i l l be covered f o r a l l i n d i v i d u a l s .
Endodontic services w i l l continue t o be covered only f o r
i n d i v i d u a l s under the age o f 18.
Everyone w i l l have coverage f o r emergency dental treatment,
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 , .
bleeding, and i n j u r i 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 prevent
orthodontic complications w i l l be included f o r c h i l d r e n from 3 t o
13 years o f age.
I n t e r c e p t i v e orthodontic treatment t o prevent
severe malocclusion w i l l be covered beginning i n the year 2001
f o r i n d i v i d u a l s between the ages o f 6 and 12.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity t o change our
health 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Adults with D i s a b i l i t i e s
LC 140
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn. You expressed concern about the needs of people w i t h
d i s a b i l i t i e s 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.
For too long, people 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 the h e a l t h insurance marketplace. Many are
prevented from purchasing insurance because they have a soc 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 able t o obtain insurance
are o f t e n forced t o pay the highest 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 they need coverage the most.
The President's h e a l t h care reform proposal 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 , the proposal 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 or cut b e n e f i t s , increase your rates i f you get s i c k ,
use l i f e t i m e l i m i t s t o cut o f f your b e n e f i t s , and charge higher
premiums based on h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n or 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
every American includes 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
services, p r e s c r i p t i o n drugs, c l i n i c a l preventive services,
mental h e a l t h care and substance abuse services, 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 , durable medical
equipment, and many other services t h a t are e s s e n t i a l t o people
with d i s a b i l i t i e s .
I n a d d i t i o n t o the services i n the comprehensive b e n e f i t
package, the President's proposal expands long-term care services
f o r people w i t h severe d i s a b i l i t i e s , regardless o f age or income.
This new program w i l l provide home and community based supports
f o r up t o 3.1 m i l l i o n people. People who l i v e i n nursing
f a c i l i t i e s and intermediate care f a c i l i t i e s f o r the mentally
retarded w i l l be permitted t o keep more of t h e i r monthly income
f o r personal expenses. The long-term care program also 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-related personal
assistance and other services.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity t o change our
health 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 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.
(05/23/94)
6
�Prescription Drugs
MC 150
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
refonn. You expressed concern about p r e s c r i p t i o n drug coverage
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 w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
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 the cost a f t e r
meeting a $250 annual d e d u c t i b l e , depending on the h e a l t h plan
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 out-of-pocket 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 a 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 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.
(06/13/94)
�Mental Health
MH
100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care refonn.
You expressed concern about treatment for mental health under the
President's health care reform proposal. This i s an issue that the
Administration considered carefully while formulating the proposal.
The President's proposal takes h i s t o r i c steps towards ensuring
that those Americans who suffer from mental i l l n e s s receive the
care to which they are entitled. S p e c i f i c a l l y , i t makes denial of
coverage based on pre-existing conditions (including mental
i l l n e s s ) i l l e g a l , and eliminates lifetime l i m i t s on care. Services
that w i l l be covered include: screening and assessment; c r i s i s
services; inpatient, intensive non-residential, and outpatient
mental i l l n e s s ; substance abuse treatment; case management and
c o l l a t e r a l services. 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 for
mental i l l n e s s equal to physical i l l n e s s .
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
8
�Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
2-
�Consumer Choice of
Doctors and Health Plans
OC 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern w i t h the a b i l i t y o f 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 t h e a b i l i t y o f consumers t o make
choices. I t i n f a c t increases choices f o r i n d i v i d u a l s .
Currently, only 3 out o f 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 t h e
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 t h e
option 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" f e a t u r e t o give
consumers t h e choice t o belong t o an HMO while maintaining t h e
option t o see any doctor outside t h e plan by paying a b i t more.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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.
(05/23/94)
�Provider Choice
CC 140
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about your a b i l i t y to see the provider of
your choice under the President's health care reform proposal.
This i s an issue that the Administration considered c a r e f u l l y
while formulating the proposal.
Patients w i l l always be able to see their doctor to
decide the best treatment to keep them healthy. I n today's
system, doctors' decisions are too often second-guessed by
insurance company bureaucrats and lawyers. Reform w i l l free
doctors from much of t h i s second-guessing and paperwork and
l e t them do what they do best — care for patients.
After reform, doctors may j o i n one of several different
health plans. And patients can follow their doctor to any
plan he or she j o i n s . The opponents of reform are using scare
t a c t i c s — claiming that the President's approach w i l l separate
patients from t h e i r doctors — i n order to preserve the status
quo. But make no mistake about i t — patients w i l l be able to
see their doctor, and nothing any special interest group says
w i l l change that.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
Will work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Confidentiality
CN 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn. You expressed concern about confidentiality under the
President's health care reform proposal. This i s an issue that
the Administration considered carefully while formulating the
President's proposal.
The proposal establishes advanced information systems to
ensure that medical providers have timely data needed to deliver
high-quality and e f f i c i e n t care. The plan also provides measures
to protect computerized personal medical information, including
the following:
•
Every patient w i l l have the right to know in what locations
any identifiable information i s maintained and the purpose
for which such information could be disclosed.
•
Every patient w i l l have the right to access h i s or her
individual identifiable information i n order to view, copy,
or correct such records.
•
Anyone using information for any improper purpose w i l l be
subject to criminal penalties.
•
The national privacy policy e x p l i c i t l y forbids the linking
of health care and non-health care information through
health identification numbers.
•
The National Health Board w i l l promulgate standards to
protect the privacy of information that i s collected and
or reported as a part of the new health care system.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Health Care Professionals
Chiropractors
HP 110
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn.. You expressed concern about chiropractic care under the
President's health care refonn proposal. This i s an issue that
the Administration considered carefully while formulating the
proposal.
The President's proposal provides coverage for a
comprehensive benefit package, including services of health
professionals. The proposal defines health professional services
to include those services that are lawfully provided by a
physician, or those services that could be performed by a
physician and that are provided by another person who i s legally
authorized to provide those services in-the state. The proposal
does not specify p a r t i c u l a r items or services within these broad
categories, nor does i t identify s p e c i f i c providers of services.
Improved competition among health plans w i l l l i k e l y create new
incentives for effective use of a range of providers, including
chiropractors. Plans w i l l be free to use any mix of providers to
meet the needs of t h e i r enrolles.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Quality Care
QC 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care refonn.
You expressed concern t h a t t h e President's h e a l t h care refonn
proposal would compromise t h e q u a l i t y o f 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 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 t h e
proposal.
A cornerstone o f t h e 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 t h e proposal,
each h e a l t h plan 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 w i l l 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 t h e
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 t h e
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 a 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 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 i l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
^
�Anti-trust Reform
AR 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about t h e a n t i t r u s t issue and preserving
competition under t h e 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 w h i l e
formulating the proposal.
The President's h e a l t h care reform proposal encourages
providers and h e a l t h plans t o compete on the basis o f p r i c e ,
q u a l i t y , and innovation.
As you know, i n many circumstances,
competition i s a c t u a l l y promoted by mergers, j o i n t ventures, and
other cooperative a c t i v i t i e s among h o s p i t a l s and other h e a l t h care
providers.
The Federal Trade Commission and t h e J u s t i c e Department are
working t o reduce u n c e r t a i n t y regarding t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f
a n t i t r u s t laws t o these a c t i v i t i e s .
For the f i r s t time, these
agencies have issued 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, recognizing t h a t
circumstances may change over time, the.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 also developed an expedited
process t o obtain t h e views o f businesses regarding a n t i t r u s t
issues.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity t o change our
health 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 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.
(06/03/94)
1
�Insurance Reform
IN 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about the r o l e of insurance
companies 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 formulating the proposal.
Under the President's proposal, the u n f a i r insurance
p r a c t i c e s t h a t prevent many Americans from obtaining h e a l t h
insurance w i l l be i l l e g a l .
Insurance companies w i l l no longer be
able t o drop coverage or cut 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 , or charge
higher 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 proposal w i l l guarantee every American, i n c l u d i n g those
without insurance, p r i v a t e h e a l t h insurance t h a t can never be
taken away.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Paperwork: Streamlining
PW 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about the amount of paperwork
required under the President's health care reform proposal. This
i s an issue that the Administration considered carefully while
formulating the proposal.
The President's proposal w i l l reduce paperwork by creating a
single claim form that a l l doctors and hospitals w i l l use,
replacing the hundreds of forms we have today. Electronic
exchange of insurance and patient information w i l l further reduce
costs and frustration for doctors. Moreover, with the
introduction of a standard, comprehensive benefit package,
doctors w i l l no longer have to f e r r e t out informa-tion on whether
certain services are covered. Under the proposal, covered
services are comprehensive, and standard cost-sharing rules w i l l
simplify accounting for providers. I n a l l , i t reduces
administrative i n e f f i c i e n c i e s while maintaining the doctorpatient relationship and ensuring patient privacy and
confidentiality.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Malpractice & Tort Reform
M 100
A
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care refonn.
You expressed concern about t h e malpractice system under t h e
President's h e a l t h care reform proposal. This i s an issue t h a t the
Administration
considered
carefully
while
f o r m u l a t i n g the
President's 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 proposal establishes 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 c o u r t 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 t h e r e i s a reasonable cause f o r f i l i n g an a c t i o n .
The proposal l i m i t s attorney 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.
In
a d d i t i o n , damage awards must be reduced by t h e amount o f any
c o l l a t e r a l source o f compensation — such as h e a l t h or other
insurance — f o r the same i n j u r y , thereby preventing claimants from
recovering more than once. The plan also permits damages t o be
paid by a defendant over a period o f time.
F i n a l l y , t h e 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 followed 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 t h e
p a r t o f the h e a l t h plan i n which a physician p a r t i c i p a t e s f o r t h e
personal l i a b i l i t y o f the physician f o r medical malpractice.
This n a t i o n now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Medical Cost Containment (General)
MC 100
Thank you for writing about health care reform. You
expressed concern about the high cost of health care. This i s an
issue that the Administration considered carefully while
formulating the President's health care reform proposal.
The President's proposal will reduce the growth of health
care costs. The principal source of cost containment w i l l be
increased competition among health plans and providers. Because
a l l health plans w i l l offer a standard, comprehensive benefit
package and charge a l l individuals the same rate regardless of
t h e i r age or health status, health plans w i l l compete for
consumers by providing high-quality health care a t affordable
prices. For the f i r s t time, consumers w i l l be given the
information they need and — because individuals w i l l purchase
coverage i n groups — the bargaining power they have lacked to
make meaningful choices among health plans. I f competition i s
lacking i n an area, a "backstop" system of premium caps w i l l
ensure that average premiums i n that area r i s e no faster than
inflation.
F i n a l l y , the President's health care reform proposal w i l l
simplify reimbursement through standard claims forms, require a l l
plans to offer a comprehensive benefits package, and streamline
regulations, so that the same health care dollar w i l l buy more
health care and l e s s paperwork.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(06/13/94)
�Fraud and Abuse
MC 120
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn. You expressed concern about the need to protect
Americans against fraud and abuse within our health care system.
This i s an issue that the Administration considered c a r e f u l l y
while formulating the proposal.
According to the General Accounting Office, health care
fraud and abuse rob taxpayers of as much as $80 b i l l i o n each
year. Simplifying the health insurance system w i l l eliminate
opportunities for such fraud based on the exploitation of the
current complex system. The adoption of standard forms and
coding systems throughout the industry w i l l reduce opportunities
for fraudulent b i l l i n g and unnecessary administrative costs.
The Departments of J u s t i c e and Health and Human Services
w i l l lead the anti-fraud effort, organizing an All-Payer Health
Care Fraud and Abuse Enforcement Program to coordinate federal,
state, 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
target practices such as overcharging for services, charging for
medical care that was never delivered, giving kickbacks to
doctors who r e f e r t h e i r patients to certain c l i n i c s or
pharmacies, and delivering unnecessary services. I f providers
f i l e f a l s e claims against health plans, their assets can be
seized and criminal penalties for health care fraud can be
imposed.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(06/13/94)
�Medical Cost—Low income Subsidy
MC 180
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. 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 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.
On average, an i n d i v i d u a l ' s share o f the premium f o r an
average-cost plan w i l l be between 1 and 2 percent of income. For
most Americans who are now insured, t h i s w i l l be the same or less
than they are c u r r e n t l y paying f o r the same or b e t t e r b e n e f i t s .
Subsidies 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
poverty. A c e i l i n g o f 3.9 percent 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 high
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 discounts on the p r i c e o f insurance provided under t h e
President's approach. The e x t r a layer 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 the 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 o f lower cost sharing plan — o r $2
r a t h e r than $10 copayment i n lower cost sharing plan.
This n a t i o n now has a 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 the President t o make health s e c u r i t y a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(06/13/94)
�Medical Costs - Individual Premium
MC 190
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about the premium cost f o r t h e
i n d i v i d u a l 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.
On average, an i n d i v i d u a l ' s share o f the premium f o r an
average-cost plan w i l l be between 1 and 2 percent o f income.
For most Americans who are now insured, t h i s w i l l be the same
or less than they are c u r r e n t l y paying f o r the same or 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 percent 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 high 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 discounts. The extra layer o f s e c u r i t y
o f f e r e d by the 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.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(06/13/94)
a
�Sin
Tax
ST 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about funding the President's
h e a l t h care reform proposal. This i s an issue t h a t t h e
Administration considered c a r e f u l l y w h i l e formulating t h e
proposal.
As i n the past, the primary source o f funding f o r h e a l t h
care w i l l be the 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 care plans. 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 the 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 the proposal w i l l be a
tax on tobacco products. The President believes t h a t t h i s i s a
f a i r and reasonable source o f funding f o r h e a l t h care reform,
given 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 of tobacco on our nation's
h e a l t h . Tobacco products and smoking have a devastating e f f e c t
on h e a l t h and h e a l t h care costs — one i n f i v e deaths i s caused
by smoking-related i l l n e s s e s , and l i f e t i m e medical expenditures
f o r smokers exceed those o f non-smokers by an average o f
28 percent. I n f a c t , 18 percent o f a l l medical expenditures 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 from smokingr e l a t e d diseases. There i s no question t h a t tobacco use adds
s i g n i f i c a n t l y t o our nation's h e a l t h care b i l l .
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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
for a l l Americans.
(05/25/94)
9
�Cost Savings and
U.S. Competitiveness
SV 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about the q u a l i t y of care 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.
The President's approach t o h e a l t h care reform increases
competition, 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 , instead o f on the basis o f which does the best j o b o f
excluding s i c k people and o l d people. Health care providers w i l l
have an i n c e n t i v e t o provide 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 , the President's proposal
would produce savings. According t o the nonpartisan
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 plan would be about
$20 b i l l i o n less i n the year 2000.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l competitors spend much less than we do on
h e a l t h care — yet they insure a l l o f t h e i r people, provide
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 country, evidence from communities, companies, and
regions i l l u s t r a t e s t h a t h e a l t h care providers 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 there are appropriate
incentives. Providing 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 reducing a d m i n i s t r a t i v e costs 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 nation now has a 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 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.
(05/25/94)
10
�Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
^
�CHAMPUS— Military Beneficiaries
GP 120
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You 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 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 formulating t h e
proposal.
The President i s committed t o ensuring t h a t t h e Department
of Defense meets i t s readiness r e s p o n s i b i l i t y and provides highq u a l i t y h e a l t h care t o m i l i t a r y personnel and t h e i r f a m i l i e s .
The President's proposal allows t h e Department o f 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 plans covering broad geographical
regions i n which m i l i t a r y h o s p i t a l s w i l l play a c e n t r a l r o l e .
These m i l i t a r y h e a l t h plans w i l l be permitted t o 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 t o m i l i t a r y
b e n e f i c i a r i e s throughout t h e United States.
Under t h e proposal, 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
and r e t i r e e s w i l l have more choices than those t h a t e x i s t i n t h e
c u r r e n t system. Active-duty personnel 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 plans and w i l l pay no premiums or cost-sharing. A l l
f a m i l y members o f active-duty personnel, m i l i t a r y r e t i r e e s ,
f a m i l y members of 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 h e a l t h plans. M i l i t a r y h e a l t h plans w i l l
provide a comprehensive b e n e f i t s package, plus any a d d i t i o n a l
services o f f e r e d through CHAMPUS. Employers of 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 plan w i l l pay t h e
employer c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e plan.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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.
(05/23/94)
�FEHBP - Federal Employees
GP 130
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about the impact the President's health care
reform proposal w i l l have on the Federal Employees Health Benefits
Program (FEHBP).
The President's health care reform proposal i s based on a
principle embodied i n today's FEHBP program: broad consumer choice
of plans. Under the proposal, federal employees and r e t i r e e s w i l l
join with other members of the communities where they l i v e and
choose from a variety of health plans j u s t as they do now under
FEHBP.
FEHBP w i l l be repealed effective as of December 31, 1997. At
that time, the new health system w i l l be i n f u l l operation i n a l l
states to ensure choice of high quality health plans that provide
the nationally guaranteed comprehensive benefits package. The
benefits package provided i n the President's health care reform
proposal i s comparable to that offered by many of the plans i n
FEHBP.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Medicaid
GP 150
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about the Medicaid program under the
President's health care reform proposal. This i s an issue that the
Administration considered c a r e f u l l y while formulating the proposal.
The President's proposal integrates Medicaid b e n e f i c i a r i e s
into the new system, r e l i e v i n g pressures on states and physicians.
This w i l l eliminate the two-tiered system currently faced by
Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicaid recipients w i l l be guaranteed the
same comprehensive package of benefits that other Americans
receive.
State and federal governments w i l l make payments to cover the
costs of providing benefits to cash assistance r e c i p i e n t s . Health
plans and providers w i l l receive the same payment for Medicaid
beneficiaries as for other plan enrollees. Medicaid w i l l also
continue to pay for additional health services not covered i n the
comprehensive benefits package for cash assistance recipients, l i k e
hearing aids, transportation, language interpretation, c h i l d care
during v i s i t s to a doctor, and r e h a b i l i t a t i o n and mental health
services beyond those covered i n the comprehensive benefits
package.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�VA Health Care (Veterans)
GP 170
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about the treatment o f veterans
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 gives America's veterans more
choices about how and where they receive 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 veterans, i n c l u d i n g those n o t
c u r r e n t l y able t o access VA h e a l t h care. Low-income veterans and
those w i t h service-connected 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 or cost sharing. Specialized services w i l l be provided
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 o f the veterans h e a l t h care system w i l l be increased.
Under the proposal, the VA i s permitted t o keep funds i t
recovers from t h i r d - p a r t y payers, i n c l u d i n g Medicare. The
proposal w i l l also reduce the paperwork burden on VA i n s t i t u t i o n s
and p r o v i d e r s .
This n a t i o n now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�President and Congress
PC 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
refonn. You expressed concern about t h e i n c l u s i o n of t h e
President and members of Congress 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 t h e proposal.
Under t h e President's approach, members of 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 other 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 plans. Like other 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
never be taken away, even i f they get s i c k or change jobs.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity t o change our
health 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Senior c i t i z e n s
SN 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about treatment f o r the e l d e r l y
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 w h i l e
formulating the proposal.
The President's proposal preserves and strengthens Medicare.
Americans aged 65 and older w i l l continue t o receive Medicare
b e n e f i t s and see the same doctor or doctors they chose p r i o r t o
the proposal becoming law. But they w i l l also be given new help
i n paying 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
among a broader set o f h e a l t h insurance plans.
I n a d d i t i o n , the President's approach includes a proposal
f o 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 3 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 a t home and i n
t h e i r community.
This n a t i o n now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Single Payer System
States Options to Choose I t
SY 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care refonn.
You expressed your opinion regarding a single-payer system.
The single-payer system allows c i t i z e n s to obtain health
coverage by paying a uniform rate to the government. Although
there are many advantages to t h i s system, the Health Care Task
Force found after months of research that the Administration would
be able to provide many of the same benefits of the single-payer
system without the excessive increase i n taxes that would accompany
it.
The President's plan allows states to create a single-payer
system for the state or part of the state. However, the states
choosing a single-payer system must meet the overall system goals
including providing universal coverage for a comprehensive benefit
package.
In addition, the President's plan guarantees a l l Americans
that their mandated contribution gets them a t least the "average"
(not the lowest) priced plan. I t also allows individuals to pay
for a l e s s (or more) expensive health plan with the same
comprehensive coverage. Thus, i t allows consvuners to make costconscious choices, but does not force anyone into a "lowest priced"
plan.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Transition to
New Health Care System
TR 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about h e a l t h care during t h e
t r a n s i t i o n between the current system and implementation o f
h e a l t h care reform.
The President believes t h a t every American should have t h e
s e c u r i t y o f 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 insurance 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 during t r a n s i t i o n t o the new system.
These measures w i l l p r o h i b i t insurers from dropping people or
f a i l i n g t o renew t h e i r coverage/ l i m i t allowable premium
increases, and l i m i t the a b i l i t y o f insurers t o exclude consumers
with pre-existing conditions.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(05/23/94)
8
�Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
£
�Health Education
(General)
HE 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn. You expressed concern about health care education under
the President's health care refonn proposal. This i s an issue
that the Administration considered carefully while formulating
the proposal.
So many of the health habits we maintain as adults are
learned when we are children. Because of the importance of early
education, a central component of the President's health care
reform proposal i s comprehensive school health education and
school-related health services programs. The programs address a
variety of issues, such as community health, personal health,
nutritional health, and growth and development.
A primary objective of health education i s to target
and reduce the health r i s k behaviors accounting for the high
morbidity and mortality rates among youth and adults. Health
education w i l l be used a t appropriate ages to increase awareness
about safety and the prevention of i n j u r i e s ; tobacco, alcohol,
and other drug abuse; sexual behaviors that increase r i s k of
infection of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases; and
dietary patterns and sedentary l i f e s t y l e s that lead to disease.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Adolescent
PH 110
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
refonn. You expressed concern about adolescent health issues and
the President's health care reform proposal. This i s an issue
that the Administration considered carefully while formulating
the proposal.
The President's proposal creates a new adolescent health
program to provide primary care services with an emphasis on
outreach, prevention, health education, and health promotion, as
well as mental health and substance abuse counseling. The
program w i l l target areas with high rates of poverty, adolescent
pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse,
community or gang violence, and unemployment. New health care
c l i n i c s w i l l be established through the sponsorship of l o c a l
schools, community health programs, and s o c i a l service
organizations, to promote healthy behaviors for young people.
In addition, the President's health care reform proposal
builds on school-based and school-linked health c l i n i c s that have
been proven effective i n reducing teen pregnancy, substance
abuse, and truancy. Additional funding w i l l be available to help
these c l i n i c s provide physical and mental health promotion and to
increase awareness about high-risk behavior.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�AIDS/HIV
PH 130
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about treatment f o r i n d i v i d u a l s
w i t h HIV or AIDS 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.
The President's approach t o 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 or 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 or
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
higher 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
to cut o f f b e n e f i t s .
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 plan and receive the comprehensive b e n e f i t s package a t t h e
same community r a t e s paid by everyone else w i t h i n t h e i r area.
The comprehensive b e n e f i t s package includes coverage of 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 the amount
p a t i e n t s may be required t o spend out-of-pocket 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 President's
approach supports the Ryan White programs and other r e l a t e d
programs. I n a d d i t i o n , i t expands funding f o r research,
education, and prevention e f f o r t s r e l a t e d t o HIV transmission and
provides new resources f o r other p u b l i c h e a l t h i n i t i a t i v e s .
This nation now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Minority Groups
American Indian
PH 140
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about treatment f o r American
Indians 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 w h i l e
f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
The President's proposal recognizes the unique
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f the United States t o provide h e a l t h care t o
American Indians. I t strengthens the Indian Health Service and
preserves the a b i l i t y of t r i b e s t o operate 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
devise h e a l t h care systems t h a t work f o r them.
Under the President's plan a comprehensive b e n e f i t s package
provides services desperately needed by American Indians,
i n c l u d i n g a wide range o f preventive services such as r o u t i n e
c l i n i c i a n v i s i t s , immunizations, mammograms, c h o l e s t e r o l
screening, 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 services, home h e a l t h
care, and mental h e a l t h care. I n a d d i t i o n , Public Health Service
programs w i l l be expanded t o improve access t o a v a i l a b l e services
i n remote areas, expand p u b l i c h e a l t h and prevention a c t i v i t i e s ,
and provide h e a l t h care t h a t i s s e n s i t i v e t o the diverse
languages and c u l t u r e s o f American Indians.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(06/09/94)
�Minority Groups
Latinos/Hispanics
PH 170
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care reform.
You expressed concern about t h e way i n which h e a l t h care reform
w i l l impact Hispanic Americans across t h e country. 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 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
of c u l t u r a l and l i n g u i s t i c needs, Hispanics are t h e s i n g l e group
most a t r i s k o f going w i t h o u t care and coverage today.
The
President's proposal w i l l ensure t h a t every c i t i z e n and l e g a l
resident
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 c i t i z e n and l e g a l r e s i d e n t w i l l receive a Health
Security 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 s e r v i c e s , 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 organizations. 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 laborers 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 a 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 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
of us.
(05/23/94)
�Women's Health/Preventive Care
( I n c l u d i n g Breast Cancer)
PH 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about women's h e a l t h and
preventive care under the President's health 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 w h i l e f o r m u l a t i n g the proposal.
From the beginning of the health reform process, women's
h e a l t h and preventive care concerns have been a t the core o f t h e
e f f o r t . The President's proposal emphasizes the kinds o f
care and research t h a t promotes and p r o t e c t s women's h e a l t h .
Under the plan, a l l women are guaranteed coverage regardless 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 are guaranteed a comprehensive package o f b e n e f i t s
t h a t w i l l include f r e e coverage o f a wide range o f preventive
services, i n c l u d i n g mammograms. Pap smears, d i a g n o s t i c services,
and p r e n a t a l care. There are also provisions i n the proposal
t h a t cover f a m i l y planning services. 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 breast, ovarian, and
c e r v i c a l cancer.
The President's approach includes a schedule o f preventive
screenings, t e s t s , and checkups covered i n only a few o f today's
h e a l t h insurance p o l i c i e s . These include regular mammograms f o r
women w i t h a close f a m i l y h i s t o r y of breast cancer and w i l l be
covered under the regular cost sharing p r o v i s i o n s , l i k e other
medical procedures.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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. 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.
(06/08/94)
�College Students
SD 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about college health care programs under the
President's health care reform proposal. This i s an issue that the
Administration considered carefully while formulating the proposal.
Under the President's proposal, students, whether or not they
are dependents, w i l l have comprehensive health coverage l i k e a l l
Americans. Students may enroll i n a health plan offered by the
regional a l l i a n c e i n the area i n which their school i s located or
may remain i n the a l l i a n c e i n the state i n which t h e i r family i s
enrolled.
Their particular college health center program may
operate as a health plan or as a provider within a health plan.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Research
RE 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about health research under the President's
health care reform proposal.
This i s an issue that the
Administration
considered
carefully
while
formulating the
President's proposal.
The history of American medicine i s i n large part the story
of tremendous advances i n biomedical research that have saved
l i v e s , improved the quality of care, and helped reduce health care
costs. Continuing and expanding health research i s an important
component of the President's proposal.
Understanding the c r u c i a l relationship between continued
biomedical research and increased e f f i c i e n c i e s i n health care
delivery, the President's proposal w i l l expand prevention research
through increased funding to the National I n s t i t u t e s of Health.
Research funding w i l l be directed toward research leading to
advances i n promoting health and preventing diseases, disorders,
and other health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, breast
cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Prevention research i s tied to
one of the underlying principles of the proposal — promoting a
healthier population.
The President's proposal also expands research on the
effectiveness and appropriateness of c l i n i c a l practice. P r i o r i t y
areas include quality and outcomes research and the dissemination
of c l i n i c a l practice guidelines that w i l l save l i v e s and money i n
the long run.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
8
�Migrant and Community
Health Centers
OB 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care reform.
You expressed concern about how the President's h e a l t h care reform
proposal w i l l address t h e needs o f 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 appropriate medical care, needed support
services, and an adequate choice of 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
to 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 capacity 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 other providers i n medically underserved areas t o b u i l d
and
improve h e a l t h care
facilities
and t o l i n k
primary
care providers 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
services.
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
incentives, 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 providers t o
p r a c t i c e i n underserved areas.
This n a t i o n now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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.
(05/23/94)
�Underserved Persons
(Rural Only)
US 110
Thank you f o r s h a r i n g your t h o u g h t s about h e a l t h c a r e r e f o r m .
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 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
formulating t h e proposal.
Today, over 400,000 r u r a l Americans 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
inadequate 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 c a r e s e r v i c e s i n underserved areas by g u a r a n t e e i n g a
comprehensive s e t o f 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 care
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 year 2000. I n a d d i t i o n , new
workforce
initiatives,
including
t a x incentives,
increased
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 c a r e p r o v i d e r s p r a c t i c i n g i n underserved
r u r a l areas.
For t h e f i r s t f i v e y e a r s 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 underserved 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 p r o v i d e r s .
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 addition, 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 supplemental s e r v i c e s f o r underserved
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 ensures 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 p r o v i d e d t o t h o s e i n urban areas.
T h i s n a t i o n now has a 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.
(05/23/94)
10
�Undocumented Persons/Illegal Immigrants
(Not Covered)
UP
100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care reform.
You expressed concern about coverage of undocumented persons 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 t h e
proposal.
Under t h e President's proposal, undocumented workers and
residents are not 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 provided 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 other h e a l t h services under
Medicaid as they do today. The f e d e r a l government w i l l maintain
funding f o r community and migrant h e a l t h centers t h a t serve large
numbers o f undocu-mented persons.
I n a d d i t i o n , t h e proposal
provides 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, through
a "vulnerable populations" fund.
This n a t i o n now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
11
�Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
Divider Title:
t
>
�Health Care Reform General
HR 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
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
during t h e 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 t h e health 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
health care system and f i x what's wrong. The President's proposal
works t h e 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 plan. I t w i l l be the i n d i v i d u a l , not t h e
employer or 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 or cut 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 c u t o f f
b e n e f i t s ; or charge older people more than t h e young. This
w i l l make i t possible 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
the community.
Health 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 a h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
health 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.
(05/23/94)
1
�Health Care Reform General
(Supportive)
Thank
expressing
proposal.
our n a t i o n
58 m i l l i o n
lose t h e i r
HR 101
you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care and f o r
your support f o r t h e President's h e a l t h care reform
The President's proposal responds d i r e c t l y t o the c r i s i s
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
Americans go w i t h o u t insurance, and 2 m i l l i o n Americans
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
health 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 plan. 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
employer or 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 or cut b e n e f i t s ; increase
rates 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 ; or charge older people more than t h e young. This
w i l l help make i t possible 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
the community.
Health 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 a h i s t o r i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o change our
health 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.
(05/23/94)
�Heartfelt
HP 100
Thank you very much f o r your t h o u g h t f u l and compelling l e t t e r .
I am honored and touched t h a t you chose t o share your personal
experiences.
The d i f f i c u l t i e s and f r u s t r a t i o n you have described appear t o
be enormous and i l l u s t r a t e e x a c t l y why we need reform. At some
p o i n t during t h e year 58 m i l l i o n Americans go w i t h o u t insurance,
and 2 m i l l i o n Americans lose t h e i r insurance each month.
The President's h e a l t h care reform proposal 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 proposal outlaws u n f a i r insurance
practices.
I t w i l l be i l l e g a l f o r insurance companies t o drop
coverage or cut 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 , and charge older people more
than the young.
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.
(05/05/94)
�Request for Information
RI 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care reform.
I n response t o your request f o r information concerning t h e
President's h e a l t h care reform proposal, enclosed please f i n d a
summary of 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 are
a v a i l a b l e f o r your purchase w i t h a check or money order:
0
"Health Security: The President's
Stock Number 040-000-006-338
$5.00
0
"The Health Security Act"
Stock Number 040-000-006-346
$45.00
Report t o America"
You may obtain these documents d i r e c t l y from:
0
Superintendent of Documents
United States Government P r i n t i n g O f f i c e
Post O f f i c e Box 371954
P i t t s b u r g h , PA 15250-7954
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Views and Suggestions
(General)
VS 100
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g about h e a l t h care reform and f o r sharing
w i t h us your suggestions and comments on t h i s very important issue.
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
during t h e 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 t h e 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 plan. I t w i l l be the i n d i v i d u a l , not t h e
employer or 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 or cut 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 c u t o f f
b e n e f i t s ; or charge older people more than t h e young. This
w i l l make i t possible 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
the community.
Health 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 nation now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�COBRA
GP 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed concern about continuation of coverage under the
Combined Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
The President's health care reform proposal provides every
American guaranteed private insurance that can never be taken away.
The enactment of the President's proposal w i l l make COBRA
Continuation Coverage, now required of group health plans,
unnecessary because coverage w i l l be guaranteed regardless of
whether a person changes jobs or loses h i s or her job. During the
transition to f u l l implementation of health care reform, when an
individual becomes e l i g i b l e for health benefits, COBRA coverage
w i l l be discontinued.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Large Employers
LE
100
Thank you very much f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h
care reformYou expressed concern about the impact the
President's h e a l t h care reform proposal w i l l have on large
employers. 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.
The President i s concerned about the increasing burden on
employers p r o v i d i n g h e a l t h insurance coverage f o r workers. I n the
l a s t e i g h t years, per worker h e a l t h care costs f o r American
businesses have almost doubled. High h e a l t h care costs are eroding
competitiveness i n the g l o b a l marketplace and siphoning d o l l a r s
away from new c a p i t a l investments. But most American corporations
consider h e a l t h coverage a b e n e f i t of employment, and have
continued t o provide 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 the r a t e of growth of h e a l t h care costs w i l l reduce
costs t o a l l employers p r o v i d i n g insurance t o t h e i r workers. Under
the President's proposal, between the years 1994 and 2000, employer
premium payments w i l l r i s e $27 b i l l i o n less than they would without
reform.
Under the President's proposal, employers w i l l be required t o
pay 80 percent of the cost of the average-priced plan f o r t h e i r
employees. Employer c o n t r i b u t i o n s are capped a t 7.9 percent of
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 accomplish 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
the burden on those companies t h a t cover f a m i l y b e n e f i t s today i n
two-worker f a m i l i e s . Second, i t w i l l decrease cost s h i f t i n g t h a t
e x i s t s today from employers who do not c u r r e n t l y c o n t r i b u t e t o the
cost of h e a l t h care coverage t o those who do cover t h e i r workers.
Employers w i t h more than 5,000 employees may operate t h e i r own
corporate a l l i a n c e s instead of j o i n i n g r e g i o n a l h e a l t h a l l i a n c e s .
These corporate a l l i a n c e s w i l l be required t o meet f e d e r a l
standards, 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
choice of plans, and maintaining q u a l i t y standards.
This n a t i o n now has a 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.
(05/23/94)
�Small Businesses
SB
100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care
reform. You expressed concern about small businesses and the
President's health care reform proposal. This i s an issue that
the Administration considered carefully while formulating the
proposal.
Under the current health care system, small businesses pay
much higher insurance rates due to underwriting and
administrative costs. Under the President's proposal, small
businesses w i l l be able to provide affordable coverage for their
employees and, as a r e s u l t , w i l l no longer face disadvantages in
the marketplace. They w i l l join together with other consumers in
regional health a l l i a n c e s to achieve the bargaining power and
administrative simplicity that big businesses have today.
Firms participating in
premiums for their workers,
than 7.9 percent of payroll
businesses — those with 75
discounts that cap premiums
depending on their s i z e and
regional health a l l i a n c e s pay
but no firm w i l l have to pay more
toward those premiums. Small
or fewer employees — w i l l receive
at as low as 3.5 percent of payroll
average wage.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you
w i l l work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y
for a l l Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Self Employed
SE 100
Thank you f o r sharing your thoughts about h e a l t h care
reform. You expressed concern about coverage f o r self-employed
i n d i v i d u a l s 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, self-employed i n d i v i d u a l s are d i s c r i m i n a t e d against
i n our t a x system and are allowed t o deduct only 25 percent of
t h e i r h e a l t h care premiums from t h e i r taxes. Under t h e
President's proposal, they w i l l f i n a l l y be able t o deduct
100 percent o f t h e i r h e a l t h care premiums from t h e i r taxes, as
a l l other businesses do today.
As w i t h any business, the self-employed pay the employer's
share and are e l i g i b l e f o r any discounts t h a t apply. Under t h e
President's h e a l t h care reform proposal, self-employed
i n d i v i d u a l s are t r e a t e d the same as small business owners, and
t h e i r costs may be capped t o as low as 3.5 percent o f p a y r o l l .
F i n a l l y , the President's proposal w i l l outlaw insurance
company p r a c t i c e s t h a t make i t impossible f o r self-employed
i n d i v i d u a l s t o get insurance today. These p r a c t i c e s include
charging excessively high p r i c e s and r e f u s i n g t o insure e n t i r e
industries.
This n a t i o n now has a 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 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.
(05/23/94)
�Unions
UN 100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care refonn.
You expressed concern about the role of unions under the
President's health care refonn proposal. This i s an issue that the
Administration considered carefully while formulating the proposal.
In general, the President's proposal expands the options of
working families by l e t t i n g employees, rather than employers,
select a health plan for their family from a l l health plans
available i n their area.
Collectively bargained plans w i l l
continue to operate as they do today, as long as they provide at
least the comprehensive benefit package described i n the proposal.
Because the proposal defines guaranteed,
comprehensive
benefits, unions w i l l not have to negotiate away wage increases i n
order to preserve benefits. Contribu-tions for premiums for the
guaranteed benefit package and cost sharing are tax free. For
those with coverage beyond the federally guaranteed package, the
tax preference for those greater benefits w i l l be preserved for ten
years.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
�Workers Compensation
100
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about health care reform.
You expressed
concern about the coordination
of workers
compensation insurance with national health care reform. This i s
an issue that the Administration considered c a r e f u l l y while
formulating the President's proposal.
1
The
eligible
away.
benefits
President's proposal ensures that every American w i l l be
for comprehensive health coverage that can never be taken
The proposal integrates workers' compensation medical
into the new health care system i n two steps.
In the short term, delivery systems w i l l be integrated.
Injured workers w i l l receive services through t h e i r health plans,
which must demonstrate their capacity to treat
work-related
i n j u r i e s and meet new standards for quality and efficiency.
Current workers' 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
responsibility and reimburse health plans for the services they
provide to injured workers.
A federal commission w i l l develop a detailed strategy to f u l l y
integrate the financing of workers' compensation benefits. This
w i l l r e s u l t i n even greater cost savings and higher quality care.
The commission w i l l study the most d i f f i c u l t issues involved i n
integration and determine whether we should e s t a b l i s h uniform
benefit and e l i g i b i l i t y standards and continue to experience-rate
workers' compensation premiums.
The integration of workers' compensation into the proposal
provides advantages for workers. For instance, workers w i l l be
able to see the doctors and nurses they trust for a l l of their
medical care. Also, medical services provided to injured workers
w i l l be subject to the same standards of quality care as other
medical services delivered by health providers.
This nation now has a h i s t o r i c opportunity to change our
health care system to make i t work for a l l of us. I hope you w i l l
work with the President to make health security a r e a l i t y for a l l
Americans.
(05/23/94)
6
�DRAFT-Gays i n t h e M i l i t a r y Con-4/21/94
Thank you f o r s h a r i n g your views w i t h P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n and
w i t h me r e g a r d i n g homosexuals who serve i n our n a t i o n ' s m i l i t a r y .
I know t h a t t h i s i s s u e i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o you and t o many
others.
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n b e l i e v e s t h a t people should be judged by
t h e i r conduct.
He f a v o r s s t r i c t e r r u l e s o f sexual conduct f o r
a l l m i l i t a r y p e r s o n n e l and b e l i e v e s t h a t any s o r t o f improper
conduct should r e s u l t i n severance.
I n r e s p e c t i n g t h e wisdom and experience of our m i l i t a r y
l e a d e r s , t h e P r e s i d e n t works c l o s e l y w i t h t h e J o i n t C h i e f s o f
S t a f f , t h e m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e s , t h e Congress, and o t h e r s concerned
t o develop a p o l i c y t h a t m a i n t a i n s t h e b e s t equipped, t h e b e s t
t r a i n e d , and t h e b e s t prepared f i g h t i n g f o r c e t o serve our
nation.
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n i s a l s o committed t o ending
d i s c r i m i n a t i o n , and t o p r o m o t i n g e q u a l i t y and f a i r n e s s i n t h e
armed f o r c e s .
I r e a l i z e t h a t you may n o t agree w i t h t h e P r e s i d e n t on t h i s
i s s u e , b u t I ask you t o g i v e c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o h i s views.
Please be assured t h a t we have l i s t e n e d t o you, and t h a t your
views count.
[ A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l from 1/25/94 Address by P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n
Before a J o i n t Session o f t h e Congress on t h e S t a t e o f t h e Union,
I c o u l d f i n d no o t h e r more r e c e n t updates on homosexuals i n t h e
military.]
�DRAFT-Gays i n t h e M i l i t a r y
Pro-4/21/94
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g t o s u p p o r t P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n ' s
p o s i t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e ban on homosexuals s e r v i n g i n o u r n a t i o n ' s
military.
I know t h i s i s s u e i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o you and t o many
others.
The P r e s i d e n t i s committed t o m a i n t a i n i n g t h e b e s t equipped,
t h e best t r a i n e d , and t h e b e s t prepared f i g h t i n g f o r c e , and a l s o
t o ending d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n t h e m i l i t a r y .
He works c l o s e l y w i t h
t h e J o i n t C h i e f s o f S t a f f , t h e m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e s , t h e Congress,
and o t h e r s concerned t o develop a p o l i c y t h a t ensures e q u a l i t y
and f a i r n e s s , r e a d i n e s s and q u a l i t y o f our f o r c e s .
Thank you a g a i n f o r s h a r i n g your views w i t h us, and f o r your
support.
[ A d d i t i o n a l m a t e r i a l from 1/25/94 Address by P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n
b e f o r e a J o i n t Session Of Congress on t h e S t a t e o f t h e Union. I
c o u l d f i n d no o t h e r more r e c e n t updates on homosexuals i n t h e
military.]
�DRAFT-Abortion Con-4/21/94
Thank you f o r s h a r i n g w i t h me your views r e g a r d i n g a b o r t i o n .
I know t h a t t h i s s u b j e c t i s o f grave concern t o you, and i t i s
very i m p o r t a n t t o P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n and t o me as w e l l .
A d e c i s i o n r e g a r d i n g a b o r t i o n i s among t h e most p r i v a t e and
p a i n f u l d e c i s i o n s any woman may face i n her l i f e t i m e .
President
C l i n t o n and I b e l i e v e t h a t each woman should be a l l o w e d t o make
t h i s i n t e n s e l y p e r s o n a l d e c i s i o n w i t h o u t government i n t e r f e r e n c e .
We a l s o b e l i e v e s t r o n g l y t h a t p e r s o n a l p r i v a c y i s a fundamental
r i g h t guaranteed by o u r n a t i o n ' s c o n s t i t u t i o n .
While t h e P r e s i d e n t and I a r e p r o - c h o i c e , we a r e n o t p r o a b o r t i o n . We b e l i e v e t h a t a b o r t i o n should be l e g a l , s a f e , and
r a r e . R e c e n t l y , P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n has s t a t e d t h a t t h e government
should n o t fund a b o r t i o n s when t h e c h i l d i s capable o f l i v i n g
o u t s i d e t h e mother's womb, and t h a t i t should n o t f u n d e n f o r c e d
a b o r t i o n s . P r o v i d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l enable a woman t o make
informed c h o i c e s f o r h e r s e l f and f o r h e r f a m i l y , and t o reduce
the s i g n i f i c a n t number o f unwanted pregnancies.
The P r e s i d e n t and I understand your views, and I hope t h a t
you w i l l g i v e c a r e f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o our views.
Please be
assured t h a t we have l i s t e n e d t o you, and t h a t your v o i c e c o u n t s .
[ A d d i t i o n s a r e from t h e 4/13/94 Remarks by t h e P r e s i d e n t t o The
American S o c i e t y o f Newspaper E d i t o r s , and 3/19/94 Remarks by t h e
P r e s i d e n t a t a C h i l d r e n ' s Town Meeting.]
�DRAFT-Abortion Pro-4/21/94
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g t o s u p p o r t t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s p o s i t i o n on
the issue o f a woman's r i g h t t o choose. I know t h i s i s s u e i s
very i m p o r t a n t t o you, and i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n
and t o me as w e l l .
A d e c i s i o n r e g a r d i n g a b o r t i o n i s among t h e most p r i v a t e and
p a i n f u l d e c i s i o n s any woman may f a c e i n her l i f e t i m e .
President
C l i n t o n and I b e l i e v e t h a t each woman should be a l l o w e d t o make
t h i s i n t e n s e l y p e r s o n a l d e c i s i o n w i t h o u t government i n t e r f e r e n c e .
We b e l i e v e s t r o n g l y t h a t p e r s o n a l p r i v a c y i s a fundamental r i g h t
guaranteed by o u r n a t i o n ' s c o n s t i t u t i o n .
While t h e P r e s i d e n t and I a r e p r o - c h o i c e , we a r e n o t p r o a b o r t i o n . We b e l i e v e t h a t a b o r t i o n should be l e g a l and s a f e .
P r o v i d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n w i l l enable a woman t o make i n f o r m e d
choices f o r h e r s e l f and f o r h e r f a m i l y , and t o reduce t h e
s i g n i f i c a n t number o f unwanted pregnancies.
Thank you f o r your views and f o r your s u p p o r t .
[Not many changes-the P r e s i d e n t i s c u r r e n t l y r e v i e w i n g a U.N.
Commission p o p u l a t i o n c o n t r o l d r a f t . See 4/13/94, Remarks by t h e
P r e s i d e n t t o The American S o c i e t y o f Newspaper E d i t o r s . ]
�DRAFT-Family/Parenting
Letter-4/21/94
Thank you f o r s h a r i n g your ideas r e g a r d i n g t h e c h a l l e n g e s o f
n u r t u r i n g our c h i l d r e n and s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e American f a m i l y .
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n i s w o r k i n g t o make t h e i n t e r e s t s o f
c h i l d r e n and t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n a t i o n a l p r i o r i t y . He b e l i e v e s
t h a t c h i l d r e n need b o t h f a m i l y v a l u e s and m a t e r i a l s e c u r i t y . A
w o r k i n g f a m i l y u n i t t h a t i n c l u d e s a h e a l t h y and secure
environment f o r c h i l d r e n i s what makes s o c i e t y work because b o t h
i n d i v i d u a l r i g h t s and community i n t e r e s t s are i m p o r t a n t .
The P r e s i d e n t seeks t o c r e a t e an environment i n which we
s u p p o r t f a m i l i e s , w o r k i n g , and communities t h a t p r o v i d e
i n c e n t i v e s f o r people, f o r example, p r o v i d i n g a t a x break f o r
w o r k i n g people. One o f P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n ' s f i r s t a c t s as
P r e s i d e n t was s i g n i n g t h e Family and Medical Leave A c t .
A d d i t i o n a l l y , he seeks t o s t r e n g t h e n c h i l d support enforcement,
and t o r e f o r m t h e n a t i o n a l w e l f a r e system.
However, m e a n i n g f u l change t o p r e v e n t c o n t i n u e d
d i s i n t e g r a t i o n o f t h e American f a m i l y must a l s o i n c l u d e t a k i n g
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e n a t i o n ' s c h i l d r e n . What c h i l d r e n need i s
a d u l t s who l o v e them, who t e a c h them, who d i s c i p l i n e them, and
who s t a n d up and f i g h t f o r t h e i r i n t e r e s t s . Reaching o u t t o a
young person w i t h c a r i n g and compassion w i l l ensure t h a t each
y o u t h has a chance t o succeed i n today's w o r l d .
Thank you f o r s h a r i n g your ideas about p a r e n t i n g .
[New ideas a r e from t h e 4/13/94 Remarks by t h e P r e s i d e n t t o The
American S o c i e t y o f Newspaper E d i t o r s , and 2/3/94 Remarks a t
Kramer J u n i o r High School.]
�DRAFT-Child Abuse-4/21/94
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g t o express t h e outrage t h a t we a l l
f e e l about c h i l d abuse and n e g l e c t i n our country.
Homicide and s u i c i d e a r e t h e p r i m a r y causes o f young
people's deaths.
For many o f our n a t i o n ' s c h i l d r e n , each day i s
a struggle f o r survival.
I n t h e U n i t e d States today, a c h i l d i s
abused o r n e g l e c t e d every t h i r t e e n seconds, one d i e s from p o v e r t y
every f i f t y - t h r e e minutes, and one i s murdered every t h r e e hours.
The c h a l l e n g e s f a c i n g America's c h i l d r e n a r e immense.
C h i l d v i o l e n c e , abuse, and n e g l e c t i s one o f P r e s i d e n t
Clinton's highest p r i o r i t i e s .
He understands t h e importance o f
i n d i v i d u a l r i g h t s and community i n t e r e s t s . He b e l i e v e s t h a t a
working f a m i l y u n i t t h a t p r o v i d e s a h e a l t h y environment i s what
makes s o c i e t y work. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ' s
s u p p o r t , c h i l d r e n w i l l a l s o c o n t i n u e t o need a d u l t s who l o v e
them, who teach them, who d i s c i p l i n e them, and who stand up and
fight for their interests.
Each o f us can make a d i f f e r e n c e i f we a r e w i l l i n g t o reach
out t o c h i l d r e n w i t h c a r i n g and compassion. We must a l l work
t o g e t h e r t o make sure t h a t every c h i l d has a chance.
Thank you a g a i n f o r s h a r i n g your concerns about c h i l d
and n e g l e c t .
abuse
[New ideas from 4/13/94 Remarks by t h e P r e s i d e n t t o The American
S o c i e t y o f Newspaper E d i t o r s . ]
�THE
WHITE
HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July
M r . J o h n Doe
123 F i r s t S t r e e t X
L i t t l e Rock, Arkansas
Dear Mr. Doe:
19,
1993
12345-4444
\
Thank y o u f o r s h a r i n g w i t h me y o u r views r e g a r d i n g
abortion.
I know t h i s s u b j e c t i s o f grave c o n c e r n t o you
and i t i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t \ t o P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n and^me as
well.
\^
/)
x
A d e c i s i o n r e g a r d i n g a b o r t i o n i s among t h e most
p r i v a t e and p a i n f u l d e c i s i o n s ^ any woman may f a c e i n h e r
lifetime.
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n arid I b e l i e v e t h a t each woman
s h o u l d be a l l o w e d t o make t h i s \ i n t e n s e l y p e r s o n a l d e c i s i o n
w i t h o u t government i n t e r f e r e n c e \ We a l s o b e l i e v e s t r o n g l y
t h a t p e r s o n a l p r i v a c y i s a f u n d a m e n t a l r i g h t g u a r a n t e e d by
our n a t i o n ' s c o n s t i t u t i o n .
\
>
W h i l e t h e P r e s i d e n t and I a r e pro-choice,' we a r e n o t ,
pro-abortion.
We-bel-ieve- t h a t a b o r t i o n , s h o u l d b e - l e g a l ,
cjajf^i_aT-,,~) —-Jv-.^
T P ,->iiv-.-^•: - '—
•>— ' s i s s u e , wo
unwanted
ist._also
physical and
med c h o i c e s
J
:
dent
i l l give
ssured t h a t
/
�THE
?•
i
WHITE
HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July
•-
19,
1993
Mr. John Doe
123 F i r s t S t r e e t
L i t t l e Rock, Arkansas 12345-4444
Dear Mr. Doe:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g t p s u p p o r t t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s
p o s i t i o n on t h e i s s u e o f a wbman's r i g h t t o ^ c h o o s e .
I know
t h i s i s s u e i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o y o u and i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n and.ime as w e l l .
A d e c i s i o n r e g a r d i n g a b o r t i o n i s among t h e most
p r i v a t e and p a i n f u l d e c i s i o n s any woman may f a c e i n h e r
lifetime.
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n and I b e l i e v e t h a t each woman
s h o u l d be a l l o w e d t o make t h i s i n t e n s e l y p e r s o n a l d e c i s i o n
w i t h o u t government i n t e r f e r e n c e . We a l s o b e l i e v e s t r o n g l y
t h a t p e r s o n a l p r i v a c y i s a fundamentals r i g h t g u a r a n t e e d by
our n a t i o n ' s c o n s t i t u t i o n .
W h i l e t h e P r e s i d e n t and I a r e p r o - c h o i c e , we a r e n o t
p r o - a b o r t i o n . We b e l i e v e t h a t a b o r t i o n s h o u l d be l e g a l ,
s a f e and r a r e .
I f o u r c o u n t r y i s t o r e s o l v e t h i s i s s u e , we
must e d u c a t e men and women so t h a t t h e number o f unwanted
p r e g n a n c i e s can be reduced s i g n i f i c a n t l y .
We must a l s o
p r o v i d e e v e r y woman w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g p h y s i c a l and
m e n t a l h e a l t h i s s u e s t o enable h e r t o make i n f o r m e d c h o i c e s
f o r h e r s e l f and h e r f a m i l y .
Thank you a g a i n f o r your views and f o r your
Sincerely yours.
M i l i a r ^ Rodham C l i n t o n
support.
�THE WHITE HOUSE
y^t~-"~•'
J;
WASHINGTON
,
;
-
V
:
y
July
19,
1993
Mr, John Doe
123 F i r s t S t r e e t
L i t t l e Rockv Arkansas 12345-4444
7
Dear Mr. Doe:
Thank you f o r s h a r i n g your ideas regarding t h e
c h a l l e n g e s of n u r t u r i n g our c h i l d r e n and s t r e n g t h e n i n g the
American f a m i l y .
To address these v i t a l l y important i s s u e s , we should
begin by r e c o g n i z i n g , as s t a t e d by the N a t i o n a l Conference
of C a t h o l i c Bisli^ps i n a P a s t o r a l L e t t e r , " t h a t our
c h i l d r e n ' s f u t u r e \ i s shaped both by the v a l u e s of t h e i r
parents and the p o r i c i e s of our nation." As the P r e s i d e n t
has s a i d many t i m e s X f a m i l y values .alone w i l l not feed a
hungry c h i l d , and m a t e r i a l s e c u r i t y c a n n o t provide a moral
compass. J C h i l d r e n neecl^both
.-• •.....
.•
• •
.• • . •
•
'
v
1
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n i s w o r k i n g t o make t h e i n t e r e s t s o f
c h i l d r e n and t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n a t i o n a l p r i o r i t y .
One o f
h i s f i r s t , a c t s on t a k i n g o f f i c e was s i g n i n g t h e F a m i l y and
M e d i c a l Leave A c t . T h i s a c t r e q u i r e s employers w i t h a t
l e a s t f i f t y workers t o g i v e t h e i r employees up t o t w e l v e
weeks o f u n p a i d l e a v e t o c a r e f o r a new c h i l d o r an i l l
f a m i l y member. He a l s o wants t o s t r e n g t h e n o u r system o f
c h i l d s u p p o r t enforcement, and r e f o r m our n a t i o n ' s w e l f a r e
system t o h e l p p e o p l e move from w e l f a r e t o work t h r o u g h
h e a l t h c a r e , c h i l d c a r e and j o b t r a i n i n g .
P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n cannot s t o p t h e d i s i n t e g r a t i o n o f
the American f a m i l y a l o n e , however. M e a n i n g f u l change w i l l
occur o n l y i f we a d u l t s r e s o l v e t o t a k e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r
our n a t i o n ' s c h i l d r e n . What c h i l d r e n need most a r e a d u l t s
who l o v e them, who t e a c h them, who d i s c i p l i n e them, and who
s t a n d up and. f i g h t f o r t h e i r i n t e r e s t s .
�Each o f us can make a d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e l i f e o f some
c h i l d o r young p e r s o n every day i f we are w i l l i n g t o t a k e
t h e t i m e t o r e a c h o u t t o him o r her w i t h c a r i n g and
compassion. We must a l l work t o g e t h e r t o make sure t h a t
every c h i l d has a chance.
Thank you f o r t a k i n g t h e time t o make your v o i c e c o u n t
for children.
Sincerely
yours.
H i l l a r f Rodham C l i n t o n
�QOK)
THE WHITE
HOUSE
WASHINGTON
*To be updated a f t e r f o r m a l announcement
July
Mr. J o h n \ D o e
12 3 F i r s t \ S t r e e t
L i t t l e Rock, Arkansas
Dear M r . Doe:-
2 0 , 1993
12345-4444
x
Thank youVfor s h a r i n g w i t h me your views regarding t h e
ban on homosexuals s e r v i n g i n our nation's m i l i t a r y . I
know t h i s i s s u e i s very important t o you and t o many
others.
\
P r e s i d e n t Clin-Hpn b e l i e v e s t h a t people should be
judged by t h e i r conduct. He favors s t r i c t e r r u l e s of
sexual conduct f o r a l l m i l i t a r y personnel and b e l i e v e s t h a t
any s o r t o f improper cbriduct should r e s u l t i n severance.
However, he i s committed t o ending d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n t h e
military.
\
The P r e s i d e n t r e s p e c t s t h e wisdom and experience of
our m i l i t a r y l e a d e r s . He i s working c l o s e l y with the J o i n t
Chiefs of S t a f f , t h e m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e s , t h e Congress and
others concerned, t o develop \ p o l i c y t h a t preserves the
unity and preparedness of our m i l i t a r y , but a l s o ensures
e q u a l i t y and f a i r n e s s .
\
v
I r e a l i z e t h a t you may n o t agree w i t h P r e s i d e n t
C l i n t o n on t h i s i s s u e , b u t I hope you w i l l g i v e c a r e f u l
c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o h i s views.
Please be assured t h a t he has
l i s t e n e d t o yours.
Sincerely yours,
Hillary
Rodham C l i n t o n
�, .....
THE
WHITE
HOUSE
WASHINGTON
*To be updated a f t e r
f o r m a l announcement
N.
J u l y 20, 1993
Mr.
123
John Doe
F i r s t Street
L i t t l e Rock, Arkansas 12345-4444
Dear Mr. Doe:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g t o s u p p o r t P r e s i d e n t C l i n t o n ' s
p o s i t i o n r e g a r d i n g t.he ban on homosexuals s e r v i n g i n o u r
nation's m i l i t a r y .
I know t h i s i s s u e i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o
you and t o many o t h e r s .
The P r e s i d e n t i s committed t o ending d i s c r i m i n a t i o n i n
the m i l i t a r y .
He i s w o r k i n g c l o s e l y w i t h t h e J o i n t C h i e f s
o f S t a f f , t h e m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e s , t h e Congress and o t h e r s
c o n c e r n e d , t o d e v e l o p a p b l i c y t h a t ensures e q u a l i t y and
f a i r n e s s , b u t a l s o p r e s e r v e s t h e u n i t y and p r e p a r e d n e s s o f
our m i l i t a r y .
Thank you a g a i n f o r y o u i \ v i e w s
and f o r y o u r
Sincerely\yours,
TIIUAU
H i l l a r y Rodham C l i n t o n
support.
�THE
WHITE
HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July
19,
1993
Mr. John Doe
123 F i r s t S t r e e t
L i t t l e Rock, Arkansas 12345-4444
Dear Mr. Doe:
Thank you f o r w r i t i n g t o express t h e o u t r a g e we a l l
f e e l about t h e problems o f c h i l d abuse and n e g l e c t i n o u r
country.
^ F o r many^df o u r O p a t i o n ' s c h i l d r e n , each day i s a
s t r u g g l e f ^ r ^ u r v - i v a l ^ ^ I n t h e United States today, a c h i l d
i s abused o r n e g l e c t e d ^ v e r y t h i r t e e n seconds, a - e h i i d ' d i e s
from p o v e r t y e v e r y f i f t y - t h r e e m i n u t e s , and a c h i l d i s
murdered e v e r y t h r e e houiirs. ~^T^^^jJLe_.arid_suicide a r e t h e
p r i m a r y causes o f d e a t h o f ouf^"young p e o p l e ^ When—you
c o n s i d e r — t h e s e - s t a t i s t i e s - v - ^ a n d 'th.e aces- "beTiilidrtHem', - i t - i s ^j2lea^-«Ta-t'~Xhe c h a l l e n g e s f a c i n g America's c h i l d r e n a r e
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Please-be -assured t h a t p r o t e c t i n g o u ^
from .
,•? ."^ V i o l e n c e , abuse and n e g l e c t ^ i k ' i5ner"of "•tehfe 'clinton'j;
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.V-:-^ a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ' s h i g h e s t p r i o r i - t i e s . ^Howevgy, -Pre;siderit
Ciinton-Gannot~-sol-ve~t-hese^pr„obl^ms--alone. No-matter—how
much~work—is- done- by .-the-..a<iministration, twhat c h i l d r e n w i l l
c o n t i n u e t o need m o s t ) a r e a d u l t s who l o v e them, who t e a c h
them, who d i s c i p l i n e them, and who s t a n d up and f i g h t f o r
their i n t e r e s t s \
rf
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3 ^Each o f us can make a d i f f e r e n c e i n = t h e l i f e o f some
c h i l d - o r young person e v e r y day i if.. we a r e w i l l i n g t o — t a k e -the-t-ime t o r e a c h o u t t o 4iimiQr_h6£ w i t h c a r i n g and
compassion. We must a l l work t o g e t h e r t o make sure t h a t
every c h i l d has a chance.
7
'
Thank you a g a i n f o r t a k i n g t h e t i m e t o make your v o i c e
' count f o r c h i l d r e n .
Sincerely yours,
AAKA
H i l l a r y Rodham
Clinton
�Process f o r R e v i s i o n o f L e t t e r s - S p r i n g 1994
Research
vA. L i b r a r y search i n s u b j e c t area
'B^ Compile P r e s i d e n t i a l Press r e l e a s e s
Compile P r e s i d e n t i a l Press B r i e f i n g s and any o t h e r
subject-relevant statements
foi
Compile F i r s t Lady's Speeches from t h e F i r s t Lady's Press
Office
E. R e t r i e v e P r e s i d e n t i a l l e t t e r s from t h e Quorum database
F. H i g h l i g h t a l l s i g n i f i c a n t changes which might need t o be
made t o t h e l e t t e r i n o u r f i l e s .
Note on t h e documents ( b o t h t h e r e s e a r c h documents and t h e
e x i s t i n g l e t t e r ) i n b l a c k i n k where changes might be
made
G. Each s u b j e c t / l e t t e r r e s e a r c h e d s h o u l d be p l a c e d i n a
separate f o l d e r marked w i t h t h e s u b j e c t heading and f i l e d
i n room 2 0
H. Research w i l l be r e v i e w e d by a s t a f f member and new
l e t t e r w i l l be d r a f t e d f o r a p p r o v a l .
I.
No documents o f any t y p e may be removed from t h e
premises.
* Remember t o i n c l u d e a l l source documents w i t h t h e
materials submitted.
�
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 Reform
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0810-F
Description
An account of the resource
<p>This collection consists of records related to Hillary Rodham Clinton's Health Care Reform Files, 1993-1996. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the Chair of the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform. The files contain reports, memoranda, correspondence, schedules, and news clippings. These materials discuss topics such as the proposed health care plan, the need for health care reform, benefits packages, Medicare, Medicaid, events in support of the Administration's plan, and other health care reform proposals. Furthermore, this material includes draft reports from the White House Health Care Interdepartmental Working Group, formed to advise the Health Care Task Force on the reform plan.</p>
<p>This collection is divided into two seperate segments. Click here for records from:<br /><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=2006-0810-F+Segment+1"><strong>Segment One</strong></a> <br /><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=2006-0810-F+Segment+2"><strong>Segment Two</strong></a></p>
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
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
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
[Health Care Reform Coding Manual] [1]
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
First Lady's Office
First Lady's Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0810-F Segment 1
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Box 34
<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36144" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7422534" 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
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Preservation-Reproduction-Reference
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
5/5/2015
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
42-t-7422534-20060810F-Seg1-034-009-2015
7422534