[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 4 (Monday, January 26, 1998)]
[Page 91]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Appointment of Senator John Breaux as Chairman of the 
National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare

January 16, 1998

      
    I am pleased to join with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and 
House Speaker Newt Gingrich in announcing the appointment of Senator 
John Breaux (D-LA) as Chairman 
of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare.
    In addition, I am grateful that Representative Bill Thomas (R-CA) 
has agreed to become Administrative Chair, working with the Chairman on 
this important Commission.
    Over the past 5 years, we have strengthened and modernized the 
Medicare system by providing Americans with more choice and preventative 
care, reducing fraud and waste within the system, and extending the life 
of the Trust Fund for more than a decade.
    Despite these advances, there is more work to do to ensure that 
Medicare stays strong and solvent for the generations to come.
    I look forward to working with the Commission and to receiving their 
analysis of and recommendations for the future challenges facing the 
Medicare program.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.