    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 16, 1999]
    [Pages 1230-1231]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters in Des Moines
    July 16, 1999

    Patients' Bill of Rights Legislation

        Q. Mr. President, do you have any reaction to Senator Lott's
    comments----
        The President. I can understand why he'd be
    uncomfortable about what he did. He denied the American people the right
    to the patient

    [[Page 1231]]

    protections he has. So they feel uncomfortable. But it's not too late;
    they can still change their position. They ought to think about--it's
    not a matter of name calling. Their budget office told him it would only
    cost $2 a month premium. They've ignored their own budget people;
    they've now ignored everybody, and they basically signed up with the
    health insurance companies against all the doctors and all the nurses
    and all the patients in America and denied other people what those of us
    in the Federal Government enjoy. I don't think it's right. But it's not
    too late to do right.

    Note: The exchange began at approximately 3 p.m. at Amos Hiatt Middle
    School. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.