National Health Policy Update

By Editorial Staff

It's been little more than a month since President Bush published, The President's Comprehensive Health Reform Program (see "Bush Administration's Health Reform Proposal: Few Specifics, No Surprises" in the March 27, 1992 issue).

To the surprise of many observers, administration officials are already meeting quietly to draft legislative proposals embodying the concepts presented in the president's document for introduction in Congress in the next two months. White House spokespersons have told key congressional Republicans that their aim is to get some segment of the president's proposal, most likely small group insurance reform, passed before the November elections.

The initial proposals to Congress will not include legislation to implement health insurance tax credits for low income citizens, though that option remains open and may also be acted upon, depending upon the degree to which national health coverage becomes a major issue in the fall campaign.

There are presently over 40 legislative proposals for national health care reform pending in the U.S. Congress. Democrats have not been reluctant to criticize the president for his apparent lack of follow-up after the February 9th publication of his reform plan. To date, no specific bills based on the president's proposals have been introduced in either house of Congress.

Administration proposals are likely to focus on the low-cost elements of the president's reform plan since he is under serious pressure form conservative Republicans, as evidenced by the strong showing of challenger Pat Buchanan, who has consistently scored between one-quarter to one-third of the vote in Republican primaries in all regions of the nation. The twin issues of excessive federal spending on social programs and the rapidly growing budget deficit are very important to this uncertain constituency, and expensive proposals are not going to help secure the support of this group of Republican activists.

Despite budget and political concerns, the administration has made it clear that they will present a health initiative to Congress this year. ICA's legislative staff will provide periodic updates on the administration's efforts.

For a copy of The President's Comprehensive Health Reform Program, send a self-addressed label and $1.80 in postage to:

International Chiropractors Association
"President's Reform Plan"
1110 North Glebe Rd., Suite 1000
Arlington, Virginia 22201