Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[sarals]

He didn't write the bill... he's just supporting it. Has he written anything but the tax cut? Plus... he's not even in agreement with the Senate Republicans on the details... I think the comment below about going for senior voter support is right on.

Bush to Press for Prescription Drug Bill's Passage

PRESIDENT BUSH SPEAKS ABOUT THE MIDEAST IN THE OVAL OFFICE
(2003-06-11)
By Adam Entous

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush will call on Wednesday for swift passage of legislation providing prescription drug coverage to seniors despite lingering differences over the details.

In an address in Chicago, Bush will seize on the prescription drug issue -- a top priority for senior citizens, a critical voting block in Florida and other swing states in next year's presidential election.

As they did last month in embracing a scaled-back tax cut package, Bush aides sought to play down their differences with the Republican-led U.S. Senate and signal their willingness to compromise.

"We have a real opportunity to get something done this year," one administration official said. "The president continues to be encouraged by the progress we're making."

Bush favors an approach that would use a drug benefit to lure seniors into private managed-care plans.

But the Senate version gives equivalent benefits to seniors who opt for private sector plans and those who stay in the traditional government-run Medicare program.

Bush will also tell the Illinois State Medical Society that he will press for a limit in damage awards for medical malpractice lawsuits.

The two major political parties have played tug-of-war over Medicare for years, with Democrats accusing Republicans of trying to undermine and privatize the popular program.

Republicans say their goal is to provide prescription drug benefits but at less cost to taxpayers.

In urging the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to act quickly, Bush is effectively calling for a temporary cease-fire.

White House officials said Bush stood by his initial proposal and would try to shape the legislation more to his liking during the final House-Senate negotiations.

Under the Senate bill, released on Tuesday, seniors would pay a $35 monthly premium for drugs.

Poor people -- those with incomes up to 160 percent of the federal poverty level -- would be subsidized. The full program would go into effect in 2006 but seniors would have a discount card in the meantime.

The House bill, still being refined, has expanded private health plan options but aims to have private insurers sell drugs-only insurance policies to seniors, which would be subsidized by Medicare.

The final package must fit within the $400 billion budgeted for it over 10 years.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbur/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=507495