Bush to Detail Health Care Reform Plan
W A S H I N G T O N, March 21 -- President Bush is set to deliver what aides are calling a significant speech to outline his positions on plans to expand health care access and improve the nation's medical systems.
Speaking to a group of cardiologists today, Bush will "lay down the parameters" of the health care reforms he would support, aides said.
Bush is expected to be more forceful and go beyond the principles he outlined last month in a letter to congressional leaders. The administration believes patients' bill of rights legislation has reached a point where presidential focus can invigorate the process, a senior official said.
In his initial letter, Bush said no plan currently being considered meets all of his principles. But in his speech, the president will further tilt toward legislation he has already tagged as the framework for a compromise, that being sponsored by Sens. John Breaux, D-La., and Bill Frist, R-Tenn. Though most Democrats oppose the Breaux-Frist plan, which would expand access to health care but limit patients' rights to sue HMOs for malpractice, Bush plans to cite it as an example of positive developments in Congress.
However, Bush aides say the president also will put members of Congress on notice about other proposals being considered that fail to meet the requirements for a bill he would sign.
The main sticking points on patients' bill of rights legislation remain scope and jurisdiction. Bush advocates caps on awards to plaintiffs and keeping cases out of state courts, which often give larger judgments than federal courts.
Aides say the president will use a teleprompter for this address. Aside from his budget address to Congress, the president has not used a teleprompter while in office.
Stimulating Talk
The White House continues to be sensitive about Democrats' criticism that Bush is being inconsistent in his comments on the economy.
One official said it is not inconsistent to believe key indicators are strong and that growth will exceed estimates in the long-run, while also believing the economy currently needs a second wind. A Bush aide shrugged off the suggestion that the president might be blamed for the slowdown, saying American taxpayers are much more savvy and know the downturn began last fall.
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