Bill Clinton: “First of all, I think you ought to wait and see what we come out with. I think that most people believe that this plan…”

“First of all, I think you ought to wait and see what we come out with. I think that most people believe that this plan would be much tougher on small businesses than I believe it will be. But let me put it to you in another way. We have to decide what to do with part- time employees. And either employers will have to make some contribution to their health care. By the way, I think all employees should make some contribution to their health care, because if they don't, they may get to thinking it's free, and overutilization is one of the problems. I mean, everybody should pay something in accordance with their ability to pay. But I have to say this: I believe employers should make some contribution, because I will say again, those who don't pay at all are being supported, even when they don't use the hospital, even when they don't use the clinic, even when they don't use anything, they're being supported by those who do pay something, because they are keeping the infrastructure going. And everybody's bills will be lower over the long run if everyone makes a fair contribution. I think small businesses should really be limited in what they're required to pay by the Government. And also, anything that is done should be phased in so that as we go along the way, if there are mistakes or unanticipated consequences, they can be corrected. We should not wave a magic wand and say, okay, next year the system is going to look like this. We're going to have to phase this thing in so we can all work together and see what the problems are. But I have to say that I think in terms of job creation over the long run, you're going to have more people working over the long run if we don't have these costs being bounced around and thrown off from one group of employers onto another. The trick is going to be how to keep the questioner's costs low enough, and also what is the fair way to apportion the costs for the part-time workers. Workers' Compensation Moderator. Dear Mr. President, as a North Carolina strong Democrat and a strong supporter of the Clinton-Gore campaign, please share your views on reducing the cost of health care and workmen's compensation for my small business.”