European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 02, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 stars and stripes . Tuesday february 2,1993 lower social Security increases considered by the los Angeles times Washington a senior Treasury official said sunday that the Clinton administration will propose reductions in the rate of growth of social Security Benc fits but a powerful democratic senator warned that it would be a political death wish to seek any cutback in Cost Omi ving increases for social Security retirees. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Roger Aitman said in a to interview that eliminating the annual raise unsocial Security payments that offset the effects of inflation is under consideration As the White House put together its economic plan. That s a death wish and let s get it out of the Way and forget it right now sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan,d-n.y., new chairman of the Senate finance commit tee said in a separate to interview. The comments came As Clinton and members of his Cabinet met at the presidential Mountain Retreat at Camp David md., to discuss parts of an economic package that he will submit to Congress on feb. 17 in his state of the Union message. We spent a lot of time talking about it Clinto said As he returned to the White House late sunday afternoon. He made no other comment. Aitman a close Friend of the president and one of Linton s top economic advisers during the presidential Campaign said the administration would advocate restraints on the growth of medicare medicaid welfare payments and social Security outlays As part of its efforts to reduce the Federal budget deficit. We All know it s eating the Federal budget like a Ter mite and that has to be dealt with and that will be dealt with in this program Aitman said on pc to Sone on one with John Mclaughlin. Traditionally even discussing possible cuts in social Security benefits or Cost of living increases has been considered politically fatal in View of the organized an powerful organizations that lobby for retired  30 million americans get social Security retirement benefits averaging $650 a month. The most re cent Cost of living increase to offset 1992 inflation 32 percent amounted to about $19 a month for the average recipient. But Senate minority Leader Robert Dole r-kan.,appearing on Abc s meet the press said he favors a reduction of 1 or 2 percentage Points in Cost of living payments to All social Security recipients rather than higher taxes on relatively Well off retirees. Ili my View that might be the better Way to go Dole said recalling that Congress delayed a Cost of Liv ing adjustment in 1985 for six months. It s a Tough , speaking on. Abc this week with Dav a Bri Rikley scorned a plan reportedly being advanced by Leone Panetta director of the office of management and budget. Panetta reportedly wants to delay for a year the Cost of living adjustment now provided for recipients of social Security military and fed eral government pensions. Such a move would save about $15 billion or 10 percent of the $145 billion Defi Cit reduction that Clinton Hopes to achieve of 1997. President s disapproval rating leaps by the new York times two new polls indicate that americans arc deeply divided Over president Clin ton s Job performance so far and arc Al most evenly split Over the first major Issue his administration has tackled theban on homosexuals in the armed forces. A poll conducted by the Gallup organization for Newsweek Magazine showed that although 51 percent of those surveyed approved of Clinton s Job performance 32 percent disapproved it is the highest disapproval rating for any new president since such surveys were begun in the 1950s. For most other presidents disapproval ratings this Early in their first term were in single digits. The Only exception and the previous High was a 13 percent disapproval rating for Ronald Reagan after the first week of his presidency in january 1981, Newsweek reported. The latest poll based on 774 Telephone interviews conducted last thursday and Friday had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage Points. The same poll also indicated that americans Are divided Over whether it is a Good idea that the military will Stop asking prospective recruits about their sexual preference which is part of the Compromise plan announced by Clinton on Friday. I Orty eight percent did no approve of halting the practice while 44 percent approved. In another poll by Yankelovich  time Magazine and can 68 percent of those surveyed said they had a favor Able impression of Clinton. The time can poll also showed close division Over the new president s plan to allow homosexuals to serve in the Mili tary. Forty eight percent said they opposed the plan while 43 percent supported it. President Clinton flanked by goes. Ann w. Richards of Texas and Mario m. Cuomo of new York watches the super bowl atthe White House on sunday with daughter Chelsea and her cat socks. Clinton plays Center for super bowl telecast Washington a with Newyork gov. Mario m. Cuomo to his left and Texas gov. Ann w. Richards this right president Clinton held fast to the Middle sunday refusing to Sid with either Buffalo or Dallas while watching the super bowl. With them of either Side of me you think i m going to answer that aues a lion Clinton said when asked about his allegiance. I be got enough Tough decisions to  but after the cowboys beat the bills52-17, Clinton was effusive in his Praise for Dallas in a congratulatory Tele phone Call to owner Jerry Jones and coach Jimmy Johnson Jones and John son both played College football at the University of Arkansas. This is a lot bigger Deal at Home than me being elected president Clin ton told Jones i Tell you right now you were a inspiration to us Jones replied. I saw How to get Down on a knee and comeback up  the president was joined by his daughter Chelsea Cuomo Richards and More than 12 friends and staff in the White House movie room to watch the game on a 45-Inch television Cuomo whooped when Buffalo blocked a punt and got excited again when Bills running Back Thurman Thomas gained several Yards on a sweep. Go Thurman go go that s a very Clever Call Clinto said. Richards observed earlier that dal Las quarterback Troy Aikman is up tight during Clinton s Call to Jones Rich Ards came on the line to get it on the record that she gave Cuomo no More mercy than the cowboys allowed the Bills. Chelsea 12, sat on the floor betwee Heather s legs and lifted her head up octto whisper something to him. Herat socks scampered around the floor in front of the to. It was the cat s firs Day in the White House following its weekend trip from Little Rock. Governors Back some health insurance changes of ily the new York times Washington in a sweeping new policy statement the National governors association said sunday that the Federal government should set nation wide standards for health insurance and limit the tax deductibility of health insurance for both employer Sand employees. The governors rejected Clinton s proposal to impose National limit on All health spending Public and private. The governors said All americans should have Access to health care. More than 35 million americans have no health insurance  governors position is important because the states will have a big role in carrying out any major changes in the health care system approved Tygress Clinton a former chairman of the association invited All governors to a v Hite House meeting monday and was to address them at their Winter meeting today in  their policy statement adopted by voice vote with out dissent the governors demand Federal minimum standards or the regulation of health insurance which has historically been regulated by the states. The Federal standards should limit variation in insurance premiums and prohibit insurers from denying coverage to people with a history or a High risk of medical prob lems they said. The governors said the Federal government should define a Standard minimum package of health benefits comparable to those provided by the most efficient health maintenance  the proposal employers could not take a tax deduction for contributions to employee health Bene fits exceeding the value of the Standard package. And employees would have to pay income tax on such excess contributions. Under current Law there is no limit on an employer stax deductions for employee health benefits and none of the benefits Are counted As taxable income to employees. Some economists contend this arrangement encourages overuse of health care because it shield employees from the True Cost. R