Under the banner, “Clinton starts reform quest,” this issue's cover story, as well as 20 additional pages of coverage, marked the beginning of the long, and ultimately ill-fated, road to healthcare reform as envisioned by the Clinton administration.

“President Clinton fired the official starting gun for his nationwide campaign for healthcare reform with a prime-time address to a joint session of Congress. In the speech, the Democratic president outlined the broad themes of his healthcare reform plan and appealed for bipartisan cooperation.”

Also during his speech, Clinton said, “For the first time in this century, leaders of both political parties have joined together around the principle of providing universal, comprehensive care. It is a magic moment and we must seize it.” That magic would quickly disappear.