Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 31, 1994 TAG: 9403310220
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By RANDY WALKER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On March 23 and 24, Campbell, executive director of the Council of Community Services, attended White House presentations on the health plan. His colleagues in the National Association of Social Workers nominated him to attend the presentations, but "the White House made the final selection," he said.
Campbell, who lives in north Roanoke County, thinks the White House chose him because he is a planner and administrator with more influence and contacts than the average social worker.
About 200 people, representing various health-related professions, attended the March 23 event. "It was obvious they had invited people who were receptive to change in this area, and they were trying to sell us on this proposal," he said.
"We got a partial tour of the White House, gathered at the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, then moved in groups of eight to the south lawn," Campbell said. "It was a beautiful day, and a military band was playing. They courted us very effectively."
The speakers included President Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Vice President Gore, Tipper Gore and citizens who testified about problems they had encountered with health care. Campbell got to shake hands with the president, the vice president, and the vice president's wife.
"I came away very impressed with their energy level and sense of commitment to making changes."
Campbell returned for another presentation the next day. The audience consisted of about 40 Virginians, including a business owner, a physician and a farmer. Georgia Curtis of Blue Ridge also attended. Curtis is a retired teacher and a former member of the Council of Community Services and the executive director of the Council of Community Services, League of Older Americans.
Campbell said he understood the second presentation was a demonstration project, and Virginia is the first state selected.
The group got an extensive tour of the first floor of the White House before heading to the diplomatic reception room for the presentation.
Of the previous day's leading figures, only Hillary Clinton was present.
"I felt we had more of a discussion and that I was able to ask more questions," Campbell said. "Mrs. Clinton was very knowledgeable and handled herself very well. I was most impressed with her performance."
Several speakers said that major social legislation seems to come along every 30 years - Social Security in the 1930s, Medicare in the 1960s. "There was a sense among the participants that the time is right, that society will tolerate this kind of thing," Campbell said.
Before attending the presentations, Campbell said, he was confused and uncertain about the president's health proposal. He left the White House a believer, however.
"I'm impressed with their proposal, both from a personal level and a professional level. Having had cancer five years ago, it made me realize how vulnerable we are. From a professional point of view, I think this has the potential of helping people live a better quality of life.
"There is no control over the health-insurance industry. They charge more for young women, age 20 to 35, and as you get older. Under this proposal, there would not be this discrimination."
Under the president's proposal, Campbell said, there are no lifetime limits, and your insurance cannot be revoked if you get sick. Everyone will pay the same amount for insurance regardless of health status, and insurance companies cannot deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. People would pick their own doctors.
"It's not that the federal government is taking over. They're working through the private insurance companies," said Campbell, adding that the presentation was "absolutely persuasive."
by CNB