Tobacco Documents Online

Copyright 1993' American Broadeasting Companies, Inc., All rights reserved. ABC NEWS SHOW: WORLD NEWS TONIGHT'WITH PETER JENNINGS MARCH 17, 1993 - LENGTHt 4253: words BODY: ANNOUNCER: From ABC, this is World News Tonight, with Peter Jennings. PETER JENNINGS': Good evening.We begin tonight with the formidable challenge to the First Lady of coming, up with health care reform which is acceptable to the countny. The! White House said today that every day for the last 54 days, Mrs. Clinton has dealt with at least one individual or group that has something to say about this enormously complicated subject. Today; some of what she and her task force find mosti acceptable is beginning to take serious shape. In Washington, ABC's George Straiu. GEORGE STRAIT: [WILLARY AND LOBBYISTS] Today the meeting was with Native Americans. Mrs. Clinton promised the President's healthireform package will address the lack of care on reservations. [GRAPHICS] While much of the work on health care reform has been done in secret, several key aspects of what, is likely to be proposed are known. To hold down runaway costs, a short-term freeze on the amount hospitals and doctors can charge patients, and a cap onn what insurance companies can charge customers. [DOCTORS] Today the association, representing, hospitals tentatively agreed to short-term price controls, but the: doctors and the insurance industry reject them, saying,they are being singledl out unfairly.. LINDA JENCKES / HEALTH INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA: We don't think it isgoing,to work, to really get at the systern-wide problems that exist today. GEORGE STRAIT: [GRAPHICS]', To pay for the reform package, most' in the task force favor increased taxes on tobacco, alcohol and handguns: [IBOY GETTING BRACES] They also want to tax so-called luxury health care benefits that go beyond basic care: for example, company dental plans that cover braces. Supporters in Congress say Americans are ready for a bold plan. SENATOR JAY ROCKEFELLER: Now, the American people know the healkh care system has to be reformed by the government, and they want it to be dramatic; and they want it to work, and they want it to control costs.. GEORGE STRAIT: [NATAL CARE WARD] The state of Oregonihas a plan tolcontroL costs and' provide health insurance for all citizens by rationing care for people on welfare: Prenatal care will be covered, breast reconstruction surgery will not. [CLINTON JOGGING] Mr. Clinton does not like rationing, but he will approve the plan this week to show he's willingtio let states experinnentwith health care: reform. ['SU]I With only 46 days left untill the package is due, the pressure on the task force is beginning to show. When asked, "Iiow's it going?" and "What are you doing?'"„ Mrs. Clinton told reporters, "We are worrying, worrying and worrying"'. George Strait4 ABC' Nlews,, Washington.

PETER JENNfNGS': More news about the tobacco industry. The to.bacco industry is under assault on any number of fronts these days. The possibility of higher taxes on cigarettes to pay for health care is one example. How tobacco companies advertise theirprodnct is another. A new series of ad campaigns has drawn particular attention on Capitol Hill. Here's ABC's Bill Greenwood. BILL GREENIWOOD: [KIDS SMOKING] Federal health officiahs say 3,0@0 Americann youngsters start smoking every day, and critics say many are being hooked by the new ad campaigns. [ADS] The tobacco companies offer free prizes to peopiewho mail in proofs of purchase, like the label on a cigarette pack. [HAR'KIN PC] Ani aide to Iowa's Senator Tom Harkin modeled beachwear awarded by Camel. SENATOR TOM HARKIN: How many_ cigarettes does it take tolget this whole outfit? AIDE: Several thousand. SENATOR TOM HARKINt Yeah. Severall thousand. For several thousand cigarettes you can be dressed just lilke this and go to the bea&andileave Camelltracks all over. BILL GREENWOOD: Such promotions are part of a foumbillion dollar a year ad~vertiisang campaign rhat is tax dediactiible. [CU CIGARETTE]I All companies can take a deduction for advertising, but senators today introduced.legislation to rednce the tax break for tobacco companies by 50 percent, because their product is hazardiuus. The Anrterican Civil Liberties Union promised to fightithe effort_ ROBERT PECK / ACLU' LEGIS'LATIVE COUNSEL: The ACLU opposes this proposaL because we believe that this is ani infringement, of the First Amendment. BILL GREENWOOD: [S'U] Senators agree that cigarette companies have a right to free speech, but New Jersey's Bill Bradley says that does not give the tobacco industry a constitutional right to tax subsidies for pushing products that endangerpeople!s health. Bill Greenwood', ABC News, Capitol Hill.