[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
[September 18, 1993]
[Pages 1533-1535]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's Radio Address
September 18, 1993

    Good morning. This week we've seen inspiring examples of people 
reaching across their differences, having the courage to change, to 
achieve what is best for everyone.
    On Monday, I had the great honor of hosting Israeli Prime Minister 
Rabin and PLO Chairman Arafat for the signing of the historic peace 
agreement between two peoples who have been engaged in a century of 
bitter conflict. Their unforgettable handshake holds the hope of a 
normal and more secure life for Israelis and Palestinians. And with 
American leadership we can build on this historic agreement to promote 
peace throughout the region and beyond.
    On Tuesday, I signed agreements strengthening the North American 
Free Trade Agreement protecting labor and environmental standards in 
Mexico, Canada, and the United States. I was joined by former Presidents 
from both parties: President Bush, President Carter, and President

[[Page 1534]]

Ford. We stood together because NAFTA will create jobs here in the 
United States, 200,000 jobs by 1995.
    This week, Americans began a new chapter in our national discussion 
about one of our greatest challenges, how to preserve what's right and 
fix what's wrong with our health care system. In the Rose Garden on 
Thursday, the First Lady and I and Vice President and Tipper Gore met 
with a few of the people from all across America who had written to us 
about their experiences with health care and their growing insecurity.
    Nine months ago, when I asked Americans to send us their thoughts 
about health care, I had no idea we would receive over 700,000 letters. 
If you read some of those letters, as I have, the picture becomes clear: 
Even the millions of Americans who enjoy good health care coverage today 
are concerned that it won't be there for them next month or next year. 
Their stories make me even more determined than ever to provide health 
security to every American.
    On Thursday morning, I spoke with Mabel Piley from Iola, Kansas. She 
and her husband own a small garden shop. After they each had minor 
surgery, their insurance premiums more than tripled in 4 years, until 
they hit $900 a month. They finally had to drop the coverage. Since then 
they found new coverage but with a $2,500 annual deductible. She told 
me, ``My concern now is for my children and grandchildren. I sincerely 
hope our Government can do something about this runaway nightmare of a 
problem.''
    And I heard a heartbreaking story from Margie Silverman of Miami, 
about her 28-year-old daughter who lives in California. Last year, her 
daughter had a serious operation. And now, at a time when her daughter 
needs to be with her family, she can't move back home. That's because 
she's insured through a company that doesn't operate in Florida. And no 
other company will cover her because of her preexisting condition.
    These problems and many others like them affect us as Americans, not 
as Democrats or Republicans, and frankly, not as people who consume 
health care and those who provide it. I talked to doctors and nurses 
today who are heartsick at the burden of unnecessary paperwork. At the 
Children's Hospital here in Washington, the doctors told me that $2 
million a year is spent on paperwork that has nothing to do with caring 
for patients, that the average doctor has to give up the chance to see 
500 more patients a year just to fill out forms.
    I know we can work together, across the lines of partisanship, to 
solve these problems and find an American answer to this American 
challenge.
    On Wednesday night, when I speak before a joint session of Congress, 
I will ask the Congress to provide every American with comprehensive 
health care benefits that cannot be taken away. I'll ask Congress to 
work with me to reduce costs, increase choices, improve quality, cut 
paperwork, and keep our health care the finest in the world. And I'll 
ask members of both parties to work together for this important purpose.
    We have to work together because there is so much that is good about 
American medicine that we must preserve. We have the best doctors and 
nurses, the finest hospitals, the most advanced research, the most 
sophisticated technology in the world. We cherish this as Americans, and 
we'll never give them up, nor will we give up our right to choose our 
doctors, our hospitals, and our medical treatments. That is especially 
true for older Americans, who've worked their whole lives and deserve 
this security. I want to say to those older Americans listening today: 
Our plan offers you more peace of mind.
    First--and this is something I feel strongly about--we will maintain 
the Medicare program. If you're happy with Medicare, you can stay in it. 
And we're going to increase your choices and give you the chance to join 
a less expensive plan, but it'll be your choice. We're also going to 
maintain your right to choose your own doctor, and you'll continue to 
get the benefits you get now.
    Second, we must do something about the human tragedy of older 
Americans who are forced to choose, literally choose every week between 
medicine and food or housing. Prescription drugs, currently the largest 
out-of-pocket expense for older Americans, will be covered under this 
proposal.
    Third, our initiative will expand services for older Americans with 
serious illnesses or disabilities. Today, about 75 percent of elderly 
Americans with serious illness receive care from their families. But 
often these families can't afford the services they really need. Now, 
for the first time, all older Americans with serious impair-


[[Page 1535]]

ments will be eligible for care in their homes or in community-based 
settings that they choose. This will help them be near their families 
while receiving the care they need.
    Finally, this initiative will offer tax incentives that will make 
private insurance more affordable for older Americans seeking coverage 
for long-term care.
    Sixty years ago, in the midst of the Great Depression, America 
provided Social Security for all Americans so that a lifetime of work 
would be rewarded by a dignified retirement. Now it's time to provide 
health security for all Americans so that people who work hard and take 
responsibility for their own lives can enjoy the peace of mind they 
deserve. To reach this goal, I want to work with everyone, doctors and 
patients, business and labor, Republicans and Democrats. At a time when 
the world is filled with new hope and possibility, let's work together 
for a great goal worthy of our great Nation.
    Thanks for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 6:04 p.m. on September 17 in the 
Roosevelt Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on 
September 18.