[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 25 (Monday, June 28, 1993)]
[Page 1157]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Task Force on 
National Health Care Reform

 June 22, 1993

    The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
ruled today that the President's Task Force on Health Care Reform, 
chaired by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, was not subject to the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act. The Court of Appeals decision confirms 
that the task force operated in full compliance with the law.
    In reversing the United States district court on this issue, the 
court of appeals held that Mrs. Clinton is a ``full-time officer or 
employee of the Government'' for purposes of the advisory committee act. 
The court of appeals decision means that the advisory committee act's 
requirements for open meetings and production of documents did not apply 
to the task force.
    The President announced the creation of the health care task force, 
as well as interdepartmental working groups, on January 25, 1993. The 
task force held over 20 meetings in April and May and has presented 
health care reform proposals and options to the President. The President 
is now in the process of reviewing those proposals and options and will 
be preparing a final proposal for delivery to Congress.
    The task force terminated on May 30, 1993. There are no plans to 
reconvene the task force.