The White House
Health Care Reform Today
September 23, 1993
- "Now, it is our turn to strike a blow for
freedom in this country. The freedom of Americans
to live without fear that their own nation's health
care system won't be there for them when they need
it. It's hard to believe that there was once a
time in this century when that kind of fear gripped
old age. When retirement was nearly synonymous
with poverty, and older Americans died in the
street. That's unthinkable today, because over a
half a century ago Americans had the courage to
change -- to create a Social Security system that
ensures that no Americans will be forgotten in
their later years."
- "Forty years from now, our grandchildren will
also find it unthinkable that there was a time in
this country when hardworking families lost their
homes, their savings, their businesses, lost
everything simply because their children got sick
or because they had to change jobs. Our
grandchildren will find such things unthinkable
tomorrow if we have the courage to change today."
- "This is our chance. This is our journey.
And when our work is done, we will know that we
have answered the call of history and met the
challenge of our time." With that...President
Clinton began a historic debate with the American
people...a debate to reform health care.
- The Republican's who responded to the
President's speech must not have been listening.
As the President made a national call to arms and a
bi-partisan appeal to join together to solve this
crisis, the Republicans failed to respond in the
same spirit. That is disappointing and
unfortunate. We know there are many Republicans
who want to work with the President and have heard
the public demand that health care form take place
now. Today, we start that process.