Exclusive: Hillary Clinton on Health Care

Oct. 19, 2007 — -- As first lady, Hillary Clinton spoke extensively about health-care reform; now as a presidential hopeful, the New York senator is making it one of her top priorities.

In an exclusive interview with ABC's Dr. Timothy Johnson, the Democratic senator sat down to discuss her plans to further breast cancer screening, as well as where health-care reform stands on her radar.

Dr. Timothy Johnson will continue to provide coverage on health care and the presidential candidates.

Having a woman in the White House would inevitably mean high expectations for prioritizing breast cancer awareness.

Shockingly, advocates say, the rates for mammography are dropping. Additionally, the number of radiologists going into mammography is dropping and the number of places that do mammography is dropping.

"I'm deeply concerned about this. … We need to look hard because, actually, there's increasing evidence that mammography works. People can get their breast cancer diagnosed early, which is a big help in terms of treating it and surviving it," she said.

Clinton stressed the importance of public outreach and applauded "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts' efforts to increase awareness through her own public battle with breast cancer.

"I've, of course, been following Robin's experience, and I wish her well. She's been absolutely magnificent in how she's communicated all of this," Clinton said.

Clinton has spoken extensively about the need for an electronic record-keeping system that will help to bring systematic ideas to the health-care system that are currently not available.

But nothing has happened yet — prompting doubts that Clinton will be able to follow through on her health-care goals.

Johnson reminded Clinton of her team's failed attempts to get the ball rolling on the system a few years ago.

"We were all, from our different experiences, committed to the electronic medical record. We were able to get that legislation passed in the Senate, and it died in the House. It died, in part, because after evidencing some interest in it, the White House retreated. It wasn't a priority," Clinton explained.