THE CONTRADICTIONS OF BOB DOLE
LEAD: I read with astonishment that Senator Dole whispered to me, during a House-Senate conference, that I should ignore his pronouncements on austerity and press for expansion of Medicaid coverage of prenatal care. No such conversation took place.
I read with astonishment that Senator Dole whispered to me, during a House-Senate conference, that I should ignore his pronouncements on austerity and press for expansion of Medicaid coverage of prenatal care. No such conversation took place.
Bob Dole did show sensitivity to the health-care needs of the poor in the conference. He is to be commended for that. But he agreed only after a strong case for the benefit had been made and savings to offset the costs found. His commitment to reduce the deficit required that.
Your article seemed to suggest that Bob Dole was double-dealing with his constituents and fellow senators by arguing for savings in public and spending in private. This simply wasn't the case.
Bob Dole and I are often on opposite sides of many issues. But in his dealings with me he has been straightforward.  HENRY A. WAXMAN  Chairman, Subcommitte on  Health and the Environment  House of Representatives  Washington  Mr. Tolchin Replies
Representative Waxman first told me, at a dinner party, of his conversation with Senator Dole about expanding Medicaid's prenatal-care program. I called him to ask permission to use this anecdote in the article, and he agreed. In subsequent conversations, Mr. Waxman and an aide provided details of the incident.