The White House
Health Care Reform Today
October 1, 1993
- The First Lady had another impressive day
yesterday...in front of the Senate Finance
Committee, capping three days of testimony.
Ellen Goodman, writing for her column said it
best: "If this had been a three-day, 12-hour
oral exam for a Ph. D. on health care, she would
have gone directly to tenure. And when all is
said and done, it must be great to finally get
graded on substance."
- There have been some questions about the
Health Security Card. Here's how to talk about
the Card: In today's system, only the thinnest
legal protection guards personal medical
information from disclosure or inappropriate use.
No uniform, comprehensive privacy standards for
health care information exist. The plan will
create a new level of privacy protection for all
Americans---with strong legal barriers. The only
information on the card will be your name and a
medical identification number.
- We were disappointed with the more
combative tone this week coming from the American
Medical Association. Over the past eight months,
we have consulted with the AMA as we have
consulted with many groups. We have listened to
their concerns and acted on many of their
suggestions. We have never said their ideas were
"unacceptable" or that we "unequivocally"
opposed their suggestions. And we won't. We
will stick firm to our principles, and keep
working constructively with groups that work
constructively with us. But, the AMA should
remember that we're putting forth a plan that
will work for all Americans, not just doctors.
- It is also important to remember that the
AMA does not speak for all doctors. Supporting
the President's health security plan are the
American College of Physicians, the American
Academy of Family Physicians, the American
Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Society
of Internal Medicine and the American College of
Emergency Physicians. None of these groups agree
with us on every detail, but all have been very
supportive overall and constructive in those
areas where they disagree.
- Two polls of note. First, the LA Times
poll shows 78% support for health security for
every American. And, 54% expressed overall
support for the President's plan. From Michigan
last night, 57% of those polled by the Michigan
Hospital Association say Congress should pass the
President's Health Security Act. Association
President Spencer Johnson said: "In terms of
public receptivity for health care reform, they
want it; they want it now. They want health
security."