Bill Clinton

Kimberly, what do you think I need to worry most about in terms of health of foster kids? [Kimberly Taylor voiced her concern about cuts in funding since many foster children were dependent on that funding for adequate medical care.]

What you said to me is important. I'm going to go back and look at this proposed budget and see how it deals with all the foster care issues because it is real important to me, not only because I have a teenage daughter whom I stayed up…

I'll be talking about this place all over the country. You may have to put on a show for some other people. [Laughter] I may run some other people down here.

When you have a council, a teen council in place, what do they do? [Ms. Zeigler discussed the many suggestions that the teen advisory board made to improve the center and urged parents to listen to their children's ideas.]

And if you feel you need to come but you don't have a scheduled appointment, do you call in advance and tell them you want to come or do you just show up?

Robert. [Robert Goulding described how center employees helped him improve in school and find a job. Dr. Johnson, Teen Health Connection medical director, then explained the center's confidentiality policy.]

They really treat you--you have a lot of responsibility and a lot of say-so. [A participant explained that Teen Health Connection counselors were more accessible than the counselors at her school.]

So if something was bothering you that had to do with school, you think if you shared it with a counselor they might violate your confidence and make it hard for you to feel like you were making any progress. [Participants explained that…

Let me ask you something. Do you think most young people who come here feel more comfortable, for example, talking to the counselors here than they would at the school they attend?

You guys want to say anything about the center? [A participant who recently moved to Charlotte explained how supportive the center was and how comfortable he felt talking to Dr. Johnston. Another participant explained how a sliding scale…

Who weren't on Medicaid but don't have comprehensive health insurance. Ms. Zeigler. Yes, that don't have health insurance. And there's a lot of people who may live in a two-parent family, but they are right above getting Medicaid but are…

But it's a big number? It's more than 3,500. Ms. Zeigler. Oh, yes. I mean, it's about 14,000. There are 14,000 that are uninsured that are on Medicaid. But there have been many more others that actually have----

And how many uninsured young people are in this county? Ms. Zeigler. Well, 20 percent of our youth is in poverty in Charlotte. I'm not sure of the exact numbers that are uninsured. But I could----

Do all your young people live in Charlotte? Ms. Zeigler. Yes. We do have a few that will come in from South Carolina, a few from other counties.

Especially if you're going to give them this kind of personal attention. Ms. Zeigler. Well, and that's always a problem because you're torn between the need to meet the needs and particularly with managed care coming in, you know, just get…

So now how many young people are you serving? [Ms. Zeigler stated that there were over 3,500 patients in the program and they hoped to open new locations in the future.]

What about the parents? What's your experience with this program? [Parents explained how the program benefited their children by providing a place to talk about problems confidentially.]

It's kind of like a community facility, though, isn't it? [The participant explained how support from the program had helped her adjust to her foster home.]

Do most of these young people that come in here have no health insurance? Dr. John Johnston. A number has Medicaid and a number on a sliding pay scale, which means that there's a minimal amount that they pay.

The Committee's allocation raises serious concerns about the overall priorities reflected in the appropriations process.

These defections highlight how isolated Saddam Hussein has become inside Iraq.

Clearly, there's greater pressure on Saddam than ever before.

I think the King has shown a very solid ability to read the mood in Jordan with respect to Iraq.

Sanctions have put an incredible amount of pressure on the regime.

This is potentially a very significant development.