With much of his audience in wheelchairs, President Clinton said Monday all Americans will be better off if the health-care system is changed to give people with disabilities more freedom to work.

Although his health-care reform plan does not meet all the needs of the disabled, Clinton said it will give tax credits for some handicapped workers, better long-term care benefits and affordable health care for all Americans, including the disabled."What about economic freedom? How many Americans with disabilities are denied the chance to do the work they can do - not because of discrimination per se, but because of the way the health-care system works," Clinton said at a boisterous East Room rally for disabled Americans, many of whom showed up at the White House 90 minutes early for the event.

"How much better off would the rest of us be if every American with disabilities who was willing to work could work because of changes in the health-care system?" Clinton said. "It's self-defeating to say to Americans with disabilities, `You can have health benefits but only if you spend yourself into poverty.' "

The audience of about 125 left Clinton's speech for a "Bridge to Freedom" march from Arlington, Va., to the Lincoln Memorial.

"Free our people! Free our people!" they chanted after Clinton finished.

In introducing the president, Kate Miles choked on her words while urging government officials to pay for coverage of in-home care for her son.

"In an institution, nobody is going to get up with him in the night when he's having a seizure and let him know that it's OK and Mommy loves him," she said.

View Comments

Justin Dart, former chair of the President's Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities, gave a stirring speech for health-care reform.

"We are willing to die for our countries but not for our insurance companies," he said. "No more excuses. No more exclusion. No more profiteering. No more Band-aid solutions."

Moved by the remarks, Clinton urged the advocates to lobby for his health-care plan in Congress.

"What do our adversaries say: We're trying to have the government take over the health-care system. False," Clinton said.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.