First Lady Visits 25 Democratic Senators, Dole on Health Reform

Hillary Rodham Clinton, continuing to seek support as she oversees development of a plan to overhaul the nation’s health care system, went to Capitol Hill on Thursday, meeting with more than 25 Senate Democrats before paying a courtesy call on Senate Republican leader Bob Dole.

In a brief exchange with reporters between meetings, the First Lady said the ultimate reform agenda will contain some tough medicine that will “require people to do things differently.” She did not elaborate.

Her meetings with the senators were largely ones in which she asked for suggestions.

“We’re going to continue to work with members of Congress and find out what their priorities and thoughts are on this,” White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers said earlier in the day.

Still, in her private session with Senate Democrats, Clinton disclosed that the White House Task Force on National Health Care Reform is now broken up into various “clusters,” each focusing on specific topics ranging from long-term care to various ways of financing expanded coverage, sources said.

When she arrived at Dole’s office, the senator from Kansas assured her: “I think our people are fairly reasonable.”

Asked by reporters whether the First Lady can expect bipartisan cooperation, Dole answered: “We hope so. That’s what the purpose of this visit is.” He said he hoped that Mrs. Clinton also will meet with a larger group of Republicans after next week’s recess.

Senate Democrats reacted to her visit with enthusiasm.

“This is the first time in 19 years that I actually feel it (major reform) is going to happen,” Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) said.

“A lot of specific suggestions were made. No conclusions were reached,” Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell (D-Me.) said. “This is part of an ongoing process of consultation, which we hope and expect will culminate in the historic enactment of comprehensive health care reform legislation in this year.”