Bill Clinton: “If it's a small employer, the small company, then, would be part of a big buyer's co-op to guarantee lower rates and…”

“If it's a small employer, the small company, then, would be part of a big buyer's co-op to guarantee lower rates and choices. And you would be given, through this cooperative, at least three choices. You'd be able to buy into an HMO like the one you've got here. But you'd also be able to pay a small premium so if you wanted to, you could opt out and get the services from the doctor of your choice with exactly the same contribution, no more if you bought the premium. You could buy fee-for-service medicine on your own, just keep your doctor. You'd pay a little more. Or you could--you'd always have to have at least one third choice. And under our bill, if it passes, every year you'd be able to revise that. You'd be able to reconsider it. But you would always have the right to choose. And even though you might pay a little more for fee- for-service medicine, your employer would not be disadvantaged, he'd pay the same, regardless, and you would pay less than you would now because your small business would be part of a big buyer's pool. So even if you took the most expensive choice, it would be in all probability less than you're paying now because you'd be part of a big pool.”