There seemed to be an outlook of caring and cooperation among adults that stood for and behind children... We have lost... the hope and optimism... our problems have grown too large and unmanageable... Our health care system has been under extraordinary stress... stress has begun to break down... the core of the health care system... undermined your profession in many ways... (Clinton, 1993, 581).
The demonization/problem established, Ms. Clinton's speech then provides welcomed Information: "As you know, the President is in the process of finalizing his proposal for health care reform" (Clinton, 1993, 581). This information is followed almost immediately by Reassurance and Inspiration:
But the simple fact is this: The President has asked all of us, representatives of the AMA... to work on making changes where they are needed, to keeping and improving those things that work, and to preserving and conserving the best parts of our system as we try to improve and change those that are not. (Clinton, 1993, 581).
The subsequent twenty minutes of address follow this pattern with specifics - of a sort. Ms. Clinton's speech is notable for succinctly summarizing several complex issues. The actual Clinton Package that would be presented to Congress ran 1,342 pages (Fallows, 1995, 34); Hilary Clinton's speech avoids the pitfall of which her husband is often accused: she does not let her public speaking become lost in mind-numbing detail (Carlson, 1992, 31). Consequently, the AMA speech pares down its issues to a few key generalizations: cost control, universal coverage, administrative reform and professional standards.
For each generalization, the pattern of the speech remains the same. An anecdote is offered that establishes Ms. Clinton's identification with the doctors; she frequently cites the personal experience of her father's recent hospitalization and death. This is followe
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