GINGRICH CHALLENGES CLINTON ON MEDICARE

House Republicans are contemplating a stunning$305 billion cut in projected Medicare spendingto help balance the budget, but that hasn't stopped Speaker Newt Gingrich from rolling the hot potato down Pennsyvlania Avenue. Today, he challenged the Clinton administration, which has accused the GOP of cutting Medicare togive tax breaks to the rich, to come up with its own proposal to reform the ailing Medicare system by May 15. "Our goal will be, by September, to bring in a bill that will save the Medicare system for a generation," Gingrich told a group of seniors. He added: "We are going to keep the current system for anyone who wants to stay in it."