THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994 TAG: 9410020085
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ESTHER DISKIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Former Vice President Dan Quayle agrees with President Clinton about at least one thing: The nation's health care system needs reform.
Quayle blasted Clinton's intent to ``socialize medicine'' during his speech Saturday at Regent University. But Quayle predicted that the debate over reform will continue, because there are real problems that must be tackled.
``It is absolutely wrong for a health insurance company to deny health insurance to someone because of a pre-existing condition,'' he said. ``It is wrong when an employee changes jobs, that they can't take that health insurance with them.''
Quayle made his comments during a 15-minute speech to dedicate a law and government building, named for former U.S. Sen. A. Willis Robertson, father of Regent founder and Christian evangelist Pat Robertson. The university's law school has not yet received full accreditation from the American Bar Association, but school officials hope to receive it this year.
Quayle challenged young lawyers to help drive down the cost of health care and insurance by reforming the medical liability system. He said his home state of Indiana has a system that sets limits on monetary awards in medical lawsuits, and requires arbitration before a case goes to court.
Despite those measures, the legal costs tied to medical care are too high, he said. ``Do we need change? Do we need reform? You better believe it.''
Quayle's high visibility on the national circuit, giving speeches and promoting his autobiography ``Standing Firm,'' make him look like a presidential candidate in training.
In a short news conference, he joked that ``the media really want me to come back in the ring.'' He said he's giving the idea of a presidential bid ``very serious consideration,'' but he won't announce until after the November elections.
Time out of office hasn't shifted Quayle's conservative views. He said he has ``no problem'' with teachers setting aside time for prayer in the schools. He's still opposed to abortion, though some leading Republicans, such as New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, have said that the anti-abortion statement in the Republican Party platform should be removed.
``I am pro-life,'' Quayle said. ``The big debate we are going to have in the 1996 (Republican) convention will be whether the party remains pro-life or not.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
GARY C. KNAPP
At a dedication for a new building at Regent University, former Vice
President Dan Quayle said President Clinton-style health reform was
a move toward ``socialized medicine.''
by CNB