America has the highest quality of health care in the world. The problem is that high-quality health care is not accessible or affordable for all Americans. In 1991, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Britain spent $1,915, $1,659, $1,307, and $1,043, respectively, on health care, compared to $2,868 spent by the United States, yet all of these countries provide universal coverage for their citizens. The reality that we must face is that the spiraling cost of U.S. health care affects our health status as individuals as well as our nation's overall economic condition.
President Clinton has therefore made health-care reform the top priority of his administration. The cornerstone of his reform is universal coverage.
In a recent CNN/USA Today Gallup survey, 72 percent of Americans believe that our health-care system needs at least a major overhaul, with many thinking that it should be completely rebuilt. Some Americans have found that when they become sick or lose a job they no longer have access to affordable health insurance. Others have been unable to accept better jobs with different employers because they would be excluded from health coverage because of preexisting conditions. Too many Americans have been forced to turn to public assistance when their families are confronted with catastrophic illnesses.
Clinton's Health Security Act guarantees a comprehensive benefits package for all American citizens and legal residents, regardless of health or employment status. Health coverage is seamless; it continues with no lifetime limits and without interruption if Americans lose or change jobs, move from one area of the country to another, become ill, or confront a family crisis.
In exchange for this guarantee, Americans and their employers are asked to take more financial responsibility for their health coverage. In addition, the act aims to control rising costs and improve the quality of health care by enlisting the power of a competitive market and empowering consumers to make choices that suit their needs.
Competition on the basis of quality, service, and price would be encouraged by allowing consumers to choose between different plans. Once a year, comparative information will be made available to the consumer, enabling the consumer to switch to a health plan that provides the best service for the best price.
SIX BASIC PRINCIPLES
The six fundamental principles underlying the act are security, simplicity, savings, quality, choice, and responsibility. The intent is to preserve what works in the current health-care system and change what is
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