    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [December 27, 1997]
    [Pages 1825-1826]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    December 27, 1997

        Good morning. The holidays are a time when families come together to
    celebrate the season with love. And they remind us of our bonds of duty
    to care for one another. Today I'd like to talk to you about how we're
    expanding the shield of Medicare protection to honor our parents and
    grandparents in important new ways in the new year.
        Looking back over 1997, it's clear that we achieved major reforms of
    the Medicare system that will help Americans live healthier, happier,
    longer lives. This year's bipartisan balanced budget agreement
    reaffirmed our commitment to preserving and strengthening Medicare. We
    extended the life of the Medicare Trust Fund until at least 2010. We
    made Medicare protection more affordable for low-income Americans. We
    modernized the Medicare system by expanding choice, opening up
    competition, and controlling costs. And we created a blue ribbon
    commission to examine ways to ensure that Medicare will serve baby
    boomers and our children as well as it has served our parents.
        Now, as part of the balanced budget agreement, we're also
    implementing expanded Medicare benefits to provide greater protection to
    Americans in the fight against cancer. On New Year's Day, we'll
    introduce a series of changes in Medicare that will make screening,
    prevention, and detection of cancer more affordable and frequent. We're
    ringing in the new year

    [[Page 1826]]

    resolved to take new steps in our battle against cancer, one of
    mankind's oldest foes.
        First, we will guarantee the option of annual mammograms for every
    woman over 40 and, by waiving the deductible, we'll make annual breast
    cancer screenings more affordable. Right now, nearly half of older women
    do not get regular mammograms. By making mammograms more accessible and
    detecting cancer earlier, we can significantly increase the likelihood
    of successful treatment for this disease. Hillary has conducted a longstanding campaign to encourage
    older women to get these crucial tests, and these new changes will bring
    us closer to success in those efforts.
        Second, we're expanding coverage for the early detection of cervical
    cancer. We have sophisticated tests to pick up early signs of cervical
    cancer, and from now on, Medicare will pay for regular access to this
    lifesaving technology.
        And third, for the first time we'll now cover regular examinations
    for colon/rectal cancer. Most Americans don't receive this important
    preventive test, but when we catch this cancer early, we can beat it
    more than 90 percent of the time.
        Nearly every American family has been touched by the shadow of
    cancer. My own mother passed away just about 4 years ago from cancer,
    and especially at this time of year, I miss her a lot. So many other
    families have the same story. That's why these actions are so important.
    By detecting cancer early on, we offer our loved ones one of the
    greatest gifts of all, the gifts of life, health, and many holidays to
    come.
        Thanks for listening. Happy holidays, and have a happy and healthy
    New Year.

    Note: The address was recorded at 5:16 p.m. on December 24 in the Map
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on December 27.