Remarks at the American College of Cardiology Convention in Orlando, Florida

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, March 26, 2001

March 21, 2001

Thank you all. Thank you very much. George, thank you very much for your kind introduction. Doctor. Doctor. [Laughter] I'm honored to be here, and it's an honor to be your President.

I thought about inviting Vice President Cheney to travel with me today. [Laughter] He said he's seen enough cardiologists lately. [Laughter] I'm pleased to report that he's feeling great, and you'll be happy to know that when it comes to following doctor's orders, he's a model patient.

I appreciate so very much the leadership of this august organization having me here, and I appreciate the fact that they invited my bigger little brother. [Laughter] I can't tell you how proud I am of Jeb. He is a really fine Governor of this important State.

I'm also pleased to be traveling with Members of the United States Congress from the State of Florida, John Mica, Ric Keller, and Dave Weldon. Thank you all for coming with me. Weldon informed me he's a doctor. He's representing your interests in the Halls of Congress.

And today we're in the hometown of the new Secretary of Housing, Mel Martinez. I'm proud that Mel is the first Cuban-American to serve in a President's Cabinet. Mr. Secretary, welcome home, but don't stay too long. [Laughter] You're going back to Washington with me; we've got a lot of work to do.

You know, I haven't been in front of so money people who poke and prod and examine since my last press conference. [Laughter] And I appreciate the chance to visit with so many distinguished doctors and their families. So many Americans live longer, healthier, and happier lives because of the important work you all do every single day. And I'm glad to have an opportunity to thank you in person.

Modern medicine continues to bring a revolution of hope and dignity into countless lives. The average life [*] expectancy in America today is 29 years longer than it was just a century ago. And those added years now have added vigor. Many forms of cancer, once incurable, are routinely treated and often cured. Diseases that grow more common with age, such as arthritis and osteoporosis, can be less debilitating than they once were. And heart disease, though still the leading cause of death in America for both men and women, is claiming fewer lives than ever before. Just 40 years ago, when patients were diagnosed with serious heart disease, treatment meant putting them in a hospital bed and trying to make them comfortable. Today, thanks to new surgeries, devices, and drugs, and thanks to doctors and researchers behind them, millions of Americans with heart disease live vigorous, productive lives. And Dick Cheney serves his country as Vice President of the United States.

This ongoing revolution in medicine is centered in America, and for good reason--medical advances depend on innovation, and innovation depends on freedom. America has wisely resisted efforts to place medicine and health care into the hands of central planners. Government-controlled health care may spring from the best of motives, but a cumbersome bureaucracy and one-size-fits-all approach stifle innovation and do not produce the best of results.

There is an appropriate role for Government in funding medical research, protecting consumers, and providing health care for our senior citizens. Our health care system is strong, and it can be stronger. And as we improve and reform it, we must always respect the freedom that makes America's health care system the best in the world.

This year we have a real opportunity to improve health care. Today I want to talk about protecting the doctor-patient relationships with a Patients' Bill of Rights. But first, I can't resist putting in a plug for my budget and for tax relief.

My budget funds our Nation's important priorities, including many health care priorities. We increase funding for education and for military pay and benefits. We set aside $2.6 trillion of payroll taxes over the next 10 years for Social Security and for only Social Security. We double funding for Medicare over the next 10 years and make sure that every dime that comes in for Medicare is spent only on Medicare.

And as you know better than most, Medicare urgently needs reform. At a time when prescription drugs are often the treatment of choice for heart disease and many other illnesses, 99 percent of employer-provided health care plans offer some form of prescription drug coverage; yet, Medicare does not. Often, Medicare does not cover new treatments and innovative technologies. The Medicare bureaucracy is rigid and difficult and too often treats doctors as if you have nothing better to do than fill out forms. To offer our seniors better coverage and better health care, Medicare needs new life and new vitality.

One of the leaders in the effort to modernize Medicare is a heart surgeon, Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee. He's joined with Democrat Senator John Breaux and Republican Congressman Bill Thomas to set out a framework for reform. And I'm committed to working with Congress to reform Medicare and to make sure that every senior has access to affordable prescription drug coverage.