President Clinton introduced a proposal on January 19 that would provide health insurance to at least 5 million Americans currently without coverage as part of a 10-year $110 billion healthcare initiative. The proposal would also provide $28 billion to assist long-term caregivers in the form of $3,000 tax credits. This would triple the credit amount in Clinton’s plan last year, which failed to gain the approval of Congress.

"This is a continuing problem in our nation," Clinton said, naming health care one of the biggest challenges of the century. "If enacted, this would be the largest investment in health coverage since the establishment of Medicare in 1965, one of the most significant steps we could take to help working families."

According to administration officials, funds for the proposal would come from non-Social Security surpluses. Budget analysts, however, are skeptical that such an ambitious plan could get through Congress in an election year.