    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [June 22, 1993]
    [Pages 920-921]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Task Force on
    National Health Care Reform
    June 22, 1993

        The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
    ruled today that the President's Task Force on Health Care Reform,
    chaired by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton,

    [[Page 921]]

    was not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Court of
    Appeals decision confirms that the task force operated in full
    compliance with the law.
        In reversing the United States district court on this issue, the
    court of appeals held that Mrs. Clinton is a ``full-time officer or
    employee of the Government'' for purposes of the advisory committee act.
    The court of appeals decision means that the advisory committee act's
    requirements for open meetings and production of documents did not apply
    to the task force.
        The President announced the creation of the health care task force,
    as well as interdepartmental working groups, on January 25, 1993. The
    task force held over 20 meetings in April and May and has presented
    health care reform proposals and options to the President. The President
    is now in the process of reviewing those proposals and options and will
    be preparing a final proposal for delivery to Congress.
        The task force terminated on May 30, 1993. There are no plans to
    reconvene the task force.