    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [January 16, 1998]
    [Page 74]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Appointment of Senator John B. Breaux as Chairman of the National Bipartisan Commission on the
    Future of Medicare
    January 16, 1998

        I am pleased to join with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and House Speaker Newt Gingrich in announcing the appointment of Senator John Breaux (D-
    LA) as Chairman of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of
    Medicare.
        In addition, I am grateful that Representative Bill Thomas (R-
    CA) has agreed to become Administrative
    Chair, working with the Chairman on this important Commission.
        Over the past 5 years, we have strengthened and modernized the
    Medicare system by providing Americans with more choice and preventative
    care, reducing fraud and waste within the system, and extending the life
    of the Trust Fund for more than a decade.
        Despite these advances, there is more work to do to ensure that
    Medicare stays strong and solvent for the generations to come.
        I look forward to working with the Commission and to receiving their
    analysis of and recommendations for the future challenges facing the
    Medicare program.