Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 26, 1994 TAG: 9401260257
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On health care: "I am pleased he is addressing this issue, but I'm concerned about the direction President Clinton is heading. I think Sen. [Robert] Dole graphically illustrated the problem with his chart, showing the bureaucratic wall that will form between patient and doctor in terms of choice and quality of health care. I think we should reform our current system rather than risk losing it all together."
On crime bills: "He will get strong support from Republicans if he pushes hard to get these excellent proposals out of committee. The Judiciary Committee, of which I am a member, is bottled up with these proposals. Clinton needs to exercise his support and get these issues out in the open."
\ REP. L.F. PAYNE:
"It was a very comprehensive speech, and probably the most positive [presidential address] I've heard since I've been in Congress. I think President Clinton was very clear with his agenda for the future. And it involves everyone, not just the federal government. It's a plan we all have to work together to accomplish."
On health care: "We will have to work very hard to accomplish what President Clinton is proposing. My position is that government should not guarantee a result, but work to remove barriers in the system."
\ REP. RICK BOUCHER:
"I share the president's goals and I will be the lead sponsor for part of them - mainly in the area of telecommunications."
On health care and Clinton's threat to veto any legislation that doesn't guarantee health insurance for every American: "There are some ways to do this that are less complex than what [Clinton] is talking about. The one fundamental element is making sure all Americans have some form of health insurance. We're going to do our best to make sure that happens."
On crime initiative: "The president is taking an active position to address one of our biggest problems, crime in our nation's cities."
\ SEN. JOHN WARNER (from a faxed statement):
"On crime and welfare reform, I say `welcome aboard, Mr. President!' Republicans have been solidly fighting for needed change for years. On health care, I say `try again.'
"Last year, the Senate passed a tough anti-crime package with united Republican support. The president has recognized the time has come to get behind the Senate plan and push it through the House.
"Ronald Reagan sat in the same chair in 1986 and asked for meaningful `workfare.' Again, Republicans have solidly supported the effort.
"The health care package sent to Capitol Hill by President and Mrs. Clinton will not pass because it would result in the most massive piece of legislation, covering every American, in the history of the U.S.
"Recognize, Mr. President, that America now has the best health care system in the world - we need only to fix certain parts to make it less costly, more accessible, and to provide assistance for those Americans facing financial ruin due to catastrophic illness."
\ SEN. CHARLES ROBB (from the Associated Press):
"It was a speech that set a tone for some areas where we can make progress. We need to reward work over welfare . . . We need to make certain our people have access to adequate and affordable health care. I've heard the same things expressed by people throughout Virginia."
by CNB