President Clinton said Saturday that health-care reform was essential to the country's future well-being and urged all Americans to rally behind his drive to revamp a "broken system."
"Reforming our health-care system is not only the best way to reduce costs, rein in our federal deficit and provide security for our citizens; it's also good for our economy," he said. "If we really want to straighten out the economy and live more prosperous lives, we have to reform the nation's health-care system."The president taped the speech before he left Washington Thursday.
Giving the Republican response, California Gov. Pete Wilson said the opposition party agrees with much of Clinton's philosphy but fears his plan to require all businesses to provide health insurance for employees.
"By placing the financial burden on employers, the president's plan could push struggling small businesses over the edge and put people out of work," Wilson said.
Wilson said Republicans agree with Clinton that health insurance can be made more affordable to small businesses through insurance reforms and pooling mechanisms and that preventive and primary care should be promoted.