> > 1. THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN EXCERPTED TO PROVIDE ONLY THE HEALTH REFORM > RELATED SECTIONS. > > 2. *DO NOT* WRITE REPLIES TO LIST.HEALTHPLAN ITEMS; THEY WILL GO TO A > "MAILBOX" THAT IS NOT READ BY ANYONE. WRITE TO sfreedkin@igc.apc.org > USING THE APPROPRIATE SUBJECT LINE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LIST OF > SUBJECT LINES YOU CAN GET INSTRUCTIONS BY SENDING A MESSAGE WITH THE > SUBJECT: SEND WELCOME LTR LIST.HEALTHPLAN. > THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release August 24, 1994 PRESS BRIEFING BY DEE DEE MYERS The Briefing Room 1:16 P.M. EDT [...] Q Before the lights go down, House Speaker Foley is not the only one now talking about perhaps something short of complete health care reform as the only thing that's feasible between now and the end of the year. If President Clinton objects to less than a full cup, is now the time for him to speak up and say that? Does he take issue with Foley? MS. MYERS: Foley, I think, was responding to a hypothetical question. I think the President has been very clear in what he wants and in what he is going to continue to push for, and that is comprehensive health reform. Senator Mitchell and Senator Chafee are continuing to talk. Senator Mitchell has continued to work on this and has the Senate in session. Obviously, they're dealing with the crime bill now, but Senator Mitchell I think is the point person on this and he said they're going to continue to work on health care. The President believes they should continue to do that as long as they're making progress. [...] Q Do you think this is a Dole-Gramm plot to both kill the crime bill and stall health care so it's killed? [Referring to delays on the crime bill] MS. MYERS: It would certainly be a cynical ploy if it were. And I -- Q Do you think it is? MS. MYERS: I don't know if it's for me to judge what's in their hearts. But I would certainly hope that they would do what's in the best interest of the American people and let this come to the floor for a vote on the conference report. And so we're going to continue, the President's going to call for that, as he has. He's working very hard to try to get this thing done. Q Back to health care, will the President veto anything less than comprehensive care? MS. MYERS: The President -- there's been no change in the President's position on this. He hopes that they'll continue to make progress toward a comprehensive health reform that will guarantee coverage for every American. That continues. He has two things that he's stressed throughout this process. One is a bill that covers everybody; and two is a bill that works. And he's said that he'll look at both of those things and make sure that any bill meets his bottom line. Q If the President's allies on Capitol Hill say, this is the best we can do for you. George Mitchell or you know -- if they say this is the reality -- MS. MYERS: George Mitchell and others, including Senator Chafee, continue to work on this. And what Senator Mitchell has said is, he thinks he can get a bill that gets to universal this year. There's been no change in Senator Mitchell's position on that. He's continuing to negotiate and to discuss this with other senators, and we'll continue to watch that process. As long as that process is going forward, the President will support Senator Mitchell's efforts. Q Does the President still think it's realistic to expect comprehensive health care reform in 1994? MS. MYERS: Well, I think he's hopeful as he has been throughout this process. Certainly it's difficult; he knew from the beginning it would be very, very difficult. But if he gave up every time somebody said that one of his initiatives was dead, he wouldn't have gotten the budget passed last year, he wouldn't have gotten NAFTA done, we wouldn't have gotten the assault weapons ban through the House, we wouldn't have gotten progress on any number of the initiatives that he's been able to succeed on. So this is a President who doesn't take no for an answer very easily. And he's made a lot of progress as a result. Q You said twice today now that the President has not changed his position on his veto play. If it came to a point where he was changing his decision, how do you think he would let that be known? MS. MYERS: If he comes to the point where he changes his decision, I'll let you know. (Laughter.) We'll let you know how that will become known. [...] Q No crime bill meetings this afternoon? MS. MYERS: No congressional meetings scheduled. The President, as you know, will address B'nai B'rith at 3:30 p.m., where he'll talk about crime and health care, as well as the Middle East. [...] END 1:45 P.M. EDT