    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 8, 1993]
    [Page 1454]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    September 8, 1993

        The President. Let me say, first of all, I'm delighted to have the
    Congressional leadership here today. And we're going to begin our
    conversations by talking about the reinventing Government initiative.
    The Vice President's going to give the leadership a briefing. And I'm
    very much looking forward to this new phase of the congressional session
    and of a bipartisan effort on a lot of issues. And I hope we will center
    it on this, because I think this effort can do as much as anything else
    to build the trust of the American people and what we're doing on a
    whole range of other issues.
        Q. Mr. President, on health care, some of the people who have
    briefed, Democrats and Republicans, believe that the Medicaid and
    Medicare cuts are too large, too politically difficult, and too
    nonspecific. Can you reassure them?
        The President. At the appropriate time.
        Q. There is some concern, sir----
        Q. What about the chance that the health care, though--do you think
    that you can handle all of these things, reinvent Government, trade?
        The President. Absolutely. I don't think we have an option because I
    think the country can't walk away from this problem. But I think we
    should begin with this because this is something that will unify
    Americans and will unify the Congress and will prove that we can spend
    the money we have in appropriate ways and stop wasting so much of it.
        Q. What will be the chances of bipartisanship on some of these
    issues, like health care?
        The President. Good.
        Q. Why so, given the experience you had in the first part of this
    administration?
        The President. These are different issues with different
    constituencies, and they can be presented in a different way. I think
    the chances are really good.

    Note: The exchange began at 11:16 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.