[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 36 (Monday, September 13, 1993)]
[Pages 1710-1711]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Congressional Leaders

 September 8, 1993

    The President. Let me say, first of all, I'm delighted to have the 
Congressional leadership here today. And we're going to begin our 
conversations by talking about the reinventing Government initiative. 
The Vice President's going to give the leadership a briefing. And I'm 
very much looking forward to this new phase of the congressional session 
and of a bipartisan effort on a lot of issues. And I hope we will center 
it on this, because I think this effort can do as much as anything else 
to build the trust of the American people and what we're doing on a 
whole range of other issues.

Health Care Reform

    Q. Mr. President, on health care, some of the people who have 
briefed, Democrats and Republicans, believe that the Medicaid and 
Medicare cuts are too large, too politically difficult, and too 
nonspecific. Can you reassure them?
    The President. At the appropriate time.
    Q. There is some concern, sir----
    Q. What about the chance that the health care, though--do you think 
that you can handle all of these things: reinvent Government, trade?
    The President. Absolutely. I don't think we have an option because I 
think the country can't walk away from this problem. But I think we 
should begin with this because this is something that will unify 
Americans and will unify the Congress and will prove that we can spend 
the money we have in appropriate ways and stop wasting so much of it.

[[Page 1711]]

Bipartisanship

    Q. What will be the chances of bipartisanship on some of these 
issues, like health care?
    The President. Good.
    Q. Why so, given the experience you had in the first part of this 
administration?
    The President. These are different issues with different 
constituencies, and they can be presented in a different way. I think 
the chances are really good.

Note: The exchange began at 11:16 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.