Bob Dole: “I have been working, as I know the Democratic leader has, trying to figure out something on the budget, perhaps get a…”

“I have been working, as I know the Democratic leader has, trying to figure out something on the budget, perhaps get a time agreement. We have also been working on the so-called Kassebaum-Kennedy health care reform. My view was we were getting very, very close. I may be mistaken, but there have been constant contacts with the White House at the staff level. And there have been changes made in the MSA provision, which is the one provision that seems to be the sticking point, and many of the other issues with reference to mental health, the so-called MEWA's, and other provisions, have been resolved. So it is still hopeful that that can be accomplished between now and early next week. But, in any event, I think there are still conversations going on at this moment.”