Bill Clinton: “Yes, I am. Let me say, first of all, I think we have improved the Medicaid program in this budget agreement--and I want…”

“Yes, I am. Let me say, first of all, I think we have improved the Medicaid program in this budget agreement--and I want to make full disclosure here--with the full support of the Republican negotiators, over and above what it was in the budget I presented. Now, that's been made possible partly because we know the economy is getting better, but we have. The Medicare program, I'm convinced--first of all, the savings in Medicare which I proposed, meeting the Republicans halfway between our differences last time, are, by and large, rooted in policy, which I believe is good policy, designed not only to save money for 5 years but to save money over the long run. We need to change some of the policies to show appropriate discipline. They don't hurt people, but they will impose more rigor in the system. The modest one-dollar-a-month premium for home health services, I think, is an appropriate contribution, given the fact that people, I believe, at 120 percent of the poverty line and down are exempted. I think it's an appropriate contribution for what is the fastest growing element of the Medicare program and something that--150 percent, they just told me, are excluded, and below. The home health part is the fastest growing part of Medicare and has not been subject to any premium, and I think it should. There should be some contribution there, just as is associated with other elements of Part B. But it will not be burdensome, and the aggregate premium will still be much lower than would have been the case if I hadn't vetoed the budget in '95. So I think we've reached out to the health care experts in our caucus and in the Republican caucus. We've reached out to interest groups throughout the country that would be affected by this. I believe they will support this. I believe there will be broad support for this, and I think it will be seen for just what it is. It will preserve and strengthen the integrity of the Medicare program for a decade. We can't responsibly let this Trust Fund get down to a year or two and just kick it down the road for another year or two. We need to keep it a decade or more out all the time. Budget Negotiations”