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s for the poor. It is important to remember that all three plans grant federal subsidies to the poor ('Comparison'). Thus, it would seem to be more fiscally responsible to begin by offering a basic health care package and gradually improving upon it as the funding for subsidies becomes available.

Health alliances are a necessary mechanism of health care reform. The purpose of alliances is to serve as aggressive advocates for small firms and individuals demanding better service and lower prices for participants (U.S. Health 2). Therefore, to accomplish health care reform, some form of health alliance structure is needed (Easterbrook 26). However, the administration's enormous government-managed alliances must be slimmed down to be effective. As presently proposed, roughly three-quarters of the population would be compelled to use them to obtain coverage (Dentzer, 'Harry'). The American people abhor bureaucratic red tape and inefficiency in government. In fact, in a December issue of U.S. News and World Report, Michael Barone wrote, 'polls showed a lowering of support for Clinton's plan because of the public distrust for the efficacy of government' (36). Obviously, Americans do not want another government agency administering their health care. Also, a tremendous number of large alliances would be required to service so many people. When interviewed by the Tulsa Business Journal, H. Michael Schiffer, former assistant vice president of CIGNA Corporation predicted 'The creation of huge health care purchasing alliances as proposed in President Bill Clinton's health care reform plan could potentially destroy America's health care system.' He also claimed that the problem is the enormity of their size that in turn leads to 'The main complaint about insurance companies [which] is poor service' (qtd. in Brown). Clinton's alliances will be even larger than most current health insurance providers making prompt, efficient service impossible.

In contrast, Representative Cooper's purchasing alliances offer a more acceptable mechanism for health care reform. Health Provider Purchasing Cooperatives (HPPC) are not government agencies but regulatory bodies governed by their members. An HPPC services individuals and small companies ranging from 100 to 500 employees (Payne 38). Larger companies that already enjoy purchasing clout are not eligible for HPPC servicing. This restriction would dramatically reduce the number of alliances as well as their size. Also, smaller alliances would result in more expedient service. California began utilizing an HPPC last year, and it now boasts 2,300 small business customers. Health Insurance of Green Bay operates the alliance with only 70 employees. Because it is state-sanctioned and regulated, the state determines guidelines for efficiency but contracts out the daily operations to a private firm. One such regulation demanded by California is that 4 out of 5 phone calls must be answered in 15 seconds (Dentzer, 'Harry'). Thus far, the HPPC system has far exceeded this standard.

Health care reform must contain economically-secure methods of funding. This country has an inclination to provide for its people regardless of cost. This tendency has contributed to our tremendous national debt. In fact, former Senator Paul Tsongas believes that there wouldn't be any discussion about health care if it weren't for the deficit. He predicts, 'The rising costs will eventually