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Skriven 2006-04-04 23:34:44 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (060404) for Tue, 2006 Apr 4
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President Bush Discusses Health Care Initiatives
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 4, 2006

President Bush Discusses Health Care Initiatives
The Roosevelt Room

President's Remarks view

˙˙˙˙˙ In Focus: Health Care ˙˙˙˙˙

10:19 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: America needs a health care system that empowers patients to
make rational and smart decisions for themselves and their families, a
health care system in which the relationship between the patient and the
provider are central, not a health care system where decisions are made by
the federal government.

So we've been having a discussion here today about how to make sure our
health care system meets certain objectives: one, empowering the patients;
two, how do we have a system that helps control rising costs in health
care?

And one of the interesting and innovative ways to do that is through health
savings accounts. Health savings accounts are good for the uninsured,
they're good for small businesses, they're good for larger corporations.
And people around the table here have been sharing their experiences with
how folks are saving money through health savings accounts. And I would
urge the small business owner or the individual who is concerned about his
or her health care to take a look at a health savings account.

We talked about the importance of cost savings through these important
products, but we also talked about how we can work with the United States
Congress to strengthen them; to make them more appealing; to give people
more choices in the marketplace, to say to the American people, we trust
your judgment, we trust you to make the right decision for you and your
families.

And so I want to thank you all for coming for this most interesting
discussion. And I'll be glad to take a couple of questions.

Nedra.

Q Yes, sir. Thank you. I'm wondering if we can get your reaction to Tom
DeLay's resignation? Do you think it hurts the Republican Party or your
ability to get work done in Congress?

THE PRESIDENT: I had a talk last night on my way back from the ball game
with Congressman DeLay. He informed me of his decision. My reaction was it
had to of been a very difficult decision for someone who loved representing
his district in the state of Texas. I wished him all the very best and I
know he's looking forward to -- he's looking to the future.

My own judgment is, is that our party will continue to succeed because
we're the party of ideas. And one of the most important ideas is to make
sure that health care is available and affordable for the citizens of this
country. One way to do so is to trust the patients, trust the American
people when it comes to making rational decisions for health care for them
and their families. And that's exactly what we've been discussing here at
the table.

Caren.

Q Thank you, sir. Your new Chief of Staff takes over soon, and I'm
wondering, is there likely to be far-reaching changes in the staff at the
White House? And is Secretary Snow expected to stay on?

THE PRESIDENT: Secretary Snow is here at the table. He's been a part of
this discussion. I'm glad you brought him up. He has been a valuable member
of my administration, and I trust his judgment and appreciate his service.

I've, as you know, accepted the resignation of Andrew Card, my long-time
friend, a person who will go down in the annals as one -- a really fine
Chief of White House in the history of the White House. I've asked Josh
Bolten to take his place. Josh has served us very well as the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget. I told Josh that he is -- will
organize the White House in such a way that he is comfortable with and that
meets my needs. And my needs are to have good, crisp information so I can
make decisions on behalf of the American people.

And I look forward to Josh's recommendations as to how to get this White
House to -- for the last two-and-a-half years of my administration to
continue to function in an effective way, and it functioned very
effectively under Andy Card, by the way. I'm most proud of his
administration and proud of the team that he assembled.

Dick.

Q Mr. President, the situation in Iraq continues to be fraught with
violence. You have expressed impatience in recent days of the progress
towards forming a coalition government. Do you think, as some people on the
ground there are saying in the Iraqi political firmament, that has been
very close to the point of no return?

THE PRESIDENT: I believe that people ought to pay attention to the fact
that three months ago, or a little over three months ago, 12 million people
went to the polls and said, I want to live in a democracy. And there is a
group of folks in Iraq that want to stop the advance of democracy, and
therefore they're willing to use violence to do so. The one way to help
bring confidence to the Iraqi people that those few will not be able to
determine the future of that country is for there to be a unity government
that steps up and says, I'm willing to lead.

And so I sent Secretary Rice to Iraq with that message. And the message is,
is that the people of Iraq have voted, and now it's time for the elected
leaders to stand up and do their job. So we look forward to working with
them to put together a unity government, a government that will reject the
sectarian violence, will reject the militias, reject Zarqawi and the
terrorists that are trying to create enough chaos so that America loses
nerve. And I'm not going to lose my nerve as the President, because we're
doing the right thing in establishing a democracy in that country. And by
establishing a democracy, we're laying the foundation for peace.

And that's what we want. We want there to be peace. We want our children
not to have to grow up under the threat of violence coming out of the
Middle East. And one of the lessons of September the 11th, 2001, is that
this sense of -- that tyranny is okay, but underneath the surface there was
resentment. And the way -- and anger, that became the breeding grounds for
these killers. And the best way to defeat that is with the light and hope
of democracy. And you bet it's tough in Iraq. And it's tough because people
are trying to stop the advance of democracy. And I'm convinced we're making
progress there. But I do urge the folks on the ground to get that unity
government in place, so that the Iraqi people have confidence in their
future.

Thank you all.

END 10:25 A.M. EDT
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