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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 14, 1993                   TAG: 9302140301
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: D-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

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TWIN HEALTH WOES: COST AND COVERAGE

President Clinton has put overhauling the nation's health-care system near the forefront of his agenda.

"As I traveled across the country last year, no stories moved me more than the health-care stories," Clinton said. To show that, he picked First Lady Hilla- ry Rodham Clinton to chair his Task Force on National Health Care Reform.

He told her he wants a comprehensive proposal in time for him to submit legislation to Congress in May, so it can act before the end of this year.

One of the two biggest problems: America spends more for health care than any other country. This year, public and private health bills will consume nearly 15 percent of the nation's annual production. Unless policies change, the federal government estimates that by the year 2030, one of every three dollars that the economy generates will be spent on health care.

The other big problem: Many Americans are left out. An estimated 35 million Americans have no health insurance, and millions more have inadequate coverage.

The president pledged to phase in health coverage for all those now excluded. He also promised to hold down costs through a national health board and "managed" competition among health care providers.

A Clinton system almost certainly would preserve some choice for patients, but it would rely more on nationally accredited health care groups than on solo physicians who set their own fees.

"Powerful lobbies and special interests may seek to derail our efforts, and we may make some people angry," said Clinton. But he argued that there is a national consensus that the U.S. health-care system is broken and needs major repairs.

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