    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [May 9, 2000]
    [Page 871]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Health Care Legislation
    May 9, 2000

        I am extremely pleased that today the House passed H.R. 4386, the
    ``Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act,'' in an overwhelming
    bipartisan vote. Each year thousands of women who have been diagnosed
    with breast or cervical cancer do not receive the comprehensive coverage
    they need, despite extraordinary efforts by Federal health programs to
    provide that care. This legislation, which I was proud to include in
    this year's budget, will provide States with the option to provide the
    full Medicaid benefit package without delay to uninsured women diagnosed
    with breast or cervical cancer through Federal screening programs.
        I also want to commend the Congress for today's strong bipartisan
    vote in support of the ``Long Term Care Security Act.'' This
    legislation, which I have long advocated, provides authorization for the
    Federal Employee Health Benefit Program to offer long-term care
    insurance to current and retired Federal employees. I hope that the
    legislation serves as a model for all private employers and encourages
    them to provide this type of coverage to their employees. While this is
    an important step, it is only one step. We must also continue to work to
    pass a broad range of long-term care initiatives, including a $3,000 tax
    credit for people with long-term care needs or their caregivers; new
    funding for services which support family caregivers of older persons;
    and efforts to enable States to improve equity in Medicaid eligibility
    for people in home- and community-based settings.
        I am encouraged by the news of Congress acting on these significant
    policy initiatives. We need to build on these achievements and act now
    to pass a range of policies of importance to the American people,
    including the creation of a strong, enforceable Patients' Bill of Rights
    and a new voluntary prescription drug benefit option as we take steps to
    modernize and strengthen the Medicare program. And finally, we must
    redouble our efforts to expand high quality, affordable coverage for all
    Americans. I urge the Congress to work towards passing the
    administration's health coverage proposals that would expand coverage to
    at least 5 million uninsured Americans and provide health services to
    millions more by providing new, affordable health insurance options for
    parents, 19- to 20-year-olds, legal immigrants, workers between jobs,
    and the near elderly.