    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 14, 2001]
    [Pages 1237-1238]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1237]]

    Videotaped Remarks to the American Society of Anesthesiologists
     October 14, 2001

        Thank you very much. I'm honored to have this opportunity to speak
    to the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
        During the past few days, our Nation has experienced one of the
    darkest moments in our history. Yet, even in the midst of this tragedy,
    the eternal lights of America's goodness and greatness have shown
    through. We've seen it in the countless Americans who gave blood or
    donated money. We've seen it in the tales of heroic police officers and
    firemen who went into the World Trade Centers to save lives. And we've
    seen it in the simple yet profound gestures of love and patriotism from
    every part of the American family.
        It's been said that public service is not limited to public office.
    And the events of the past few days have shown how true that is. I want
    to thank all of you in the American Society of Anesthesiologists for
    doing your part during the difficult past few days. Whether it was the
    doctors who worked overtime to help victims in New York and Washington
    or those who gave money and offered prayers, our Nation is blessed by so
    many dedicated health care professionals.
        But the business of our Nation goes forward. America faces many
    challenges, including those in health care. Let me be clear about this:
    We will win the war on terrorism, and we will also continue to fight
    important battles at home. And that means my administration remains
    committed to improving the quality of health care for all Americans and
    improving Medicare for all seniors.
        My administration remains committed to passing a real Patients' Bill
    of Rights. With your help, we'll pass a bill that puts the care of
    patients in the hands of doctors, not trial lawyers. I will continue to
    support commonsense reforms that enhance the rights of the patient
    without unnecessarily raising the cost of health care and increasing the
    number of uninsured. And I believe this can be done.
        The compromise Congressman Norwood and I
    forged this summer--and passed by the House of Representatives--
    represents the best and most real solution. Simply put, it achieves both
    the goals of improving the quality of health without unnecessarily
    raising health care costs.
        And for our seniors, we're committed to reforming Medicare. For too
    long, too many doctors and too many Medicare patients have had to fight
    not only illness but also bureaucracy. My goal in reforming Medicare is
    to make it less bureaucratic and more efficient.
        Here are the main principles for strengthening and improving
    Medicare: Nobody on Medicare will see any change in Medicare unless he
    or she wants it. There will be new Medicare choices, and all of these
    new choices will offer prescription drugs. Medicare plans will compete
    by offering better service and lower premiums. Medicare will respond
    better to the needs of seniors, especially low-income seniors and
    seniors with high medical bills. And Medicare modernization will
    strengthen the program's long-term financial security.
        These are principles which will strengthen one of our Nation's most
    sacred obligations, the health of our senior citizens. We will protect
    seniors now, offering exciting new services and more choices to seniors
    in the future, and guarantee prescription drug coverage. And we will do
    it without overtaxing our children and our grandchildren.
        Medicine is constantly improving. Medicare must keep pace. That's my
    administration's commitment today and its exciting new vision for health
    care in America.
        Again, thank you all for allowing me to join you. And thanks for all
    you are doing

    [[Page 1238]]

    to make America great. God bless you all, and may God bless America.

    Note: The President's remarks were videotaped on September 24 at
    approximately 3 p.m. in the Library at the White House, for later
    transmission to a meeting of the House of Delegates of the American
    Society of Anesthesiologists in New Orleans, LA. The transcript was
    released by the Office of the Press Secretary on October 14. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of these remarks.