President Clinton said yesterday that he wanted to spend $21 billion in grants and tax breaks over the next five years on child care. According to the proposal, the states would receive $7.5 billion in additional child care support over the next five years which — the White House says — will double to two million the number of children receiving subsidized day care.

The child care proposal comes in the wake of President Clinton’s plans announced Tuesday for the biggest expansion in the Medicare program in its 31-year history. The main thrust of the Medicare plan is to let uninsured people age 62 through 64 buy Medicare coverage for $300 per month.

Congressional Republicans have reacted coolly to both initiatives.

Guests:

• Joe Baker, the associate director of the Medicare Rights Center, an advocacy group based in New York.
• Ellen Lubell, the spokesperson for the Child Care Action Campaign.

Related Links:

• Consumer Health Resources
• Child Care Action Campaign