Congress took a first step Tuesday toward reforming the health-care system, but not as President Clinton proposes.
An 11-member subcommittee of the 535-member Congress, rife with division, began work on a plan to expand insurance coverage and cut costs.
But that plan, like parts of Clinton's, is doomed. "The best thing . . . is this bill will give everyone something to complain about," said its author, Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, D-Calif.
Still, the House Ways and Means Committee's health panel, which Stark chairs, gave a boost to Clinton simply by beginning the legislative process after 14 months of rhetoric.
White House spokeswoman Lorrie McHugh lauded the action as progress toward achieving universal coverage, even though the Clinton plan was not used. "We're pleased to see the process moving," she said.
Still, most plans in Congress won't pass; their sponsors hope to influence the final version.
Tuesday's action came as doctors, dentists, psychologists and restaurant owners headed to Capitol Hill. Today, thousands of tobacco workers fight a proposed 75c cigarette tax hike. Elements of Stark's plan:
-- The uninsured would be covered by employers or a new Medicare program, with low-income subsidies.
-- Large employers would pay at least 80% of premiums by 1995; those employing 100 or fewer would have until 1997.
-- Limits would be set for spending, to be met by market forces or price controls.
-- A guaranteed benefits plan would be offered with $ 500 and $ 750 deductibles for individuals and families. Premiums would run about $ 4,800 for a family with children.
The plan's hike in the payroll tax would raise $ 24 billion.
Said Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich.: "I don't think at this point you have more than one committed vote."
