[Tobacco]

Files in this series were created from 1988 through 1994. Materials include memos, notes, correspondence, speeches, hearings, reports, press clippings, journal articles, bills, mark-up binders, and comparison charts of different pieces of legislation. Topics include various health care reform plans, including HealthAmerica, the Clinton health care reform plan of 1993, the Bush health reform plan of 1990, and Mitchell's own reform plan of 1994. In addition there are files concerning numerous amendments to these and other reform plans. Other topics include state reform plans, particularly in Oregon, Florida, and Vermont; universal coverage; medical coverage through Medicare and Medicaid and other medical insurance plans; coverage for drug and mental health treatments; and the effects of reform in Maine, especially on rural health care.

This series contains a section of correspondence from various corporations, insurance companies, and medical associations establishing their positions on various health care reform initiatives. A considerable portion is related to the Senate Finance Committee, and its subcommittees on Medicare and Long-Term Care and Health for Families and the Uninsured. Senator Mitchell sat on both of these subcommittees. Most transcripts are testimony given by Mitchell, other senators, government officials, health care professionals, and representatives of various corporations in the medical industry, including insurance companies, at hearings. Reports were usually generated from corporations, medical associations, research institutions, federal agencies and commissions (such as the Claude Pepper Commission) and from congressional committees, usually the Senate Finance Committee. Most of the files were maintained by Christine Williams. Some were maintained by Oliver Fein, Jeff Sanders, and Judy Wang. Files related to health care reform may also be found in the Medicare/Medicaid Programs, Health Care Budget, and Long-Term Care series.