Bush Stumps for Prescription Drug Plan

U.S. President George Bush campaigned for seniors to check out the Medicare prescription drug benefit program because It’s a good deal.

Bush participated in a panel discussion of the drug program Tuesday at a school in Canadaigua, N.Y.

The president said when he arrived in Washington he found a stale Medicare program. He convinced Congress to add a drug benefit, which has been taking enrollments over the past several months.

Bush admitted there has been confusion about the program, particularly in choosing a plan from the many offered. But some 26 million people have signed up for the benefit, he said.

When people have taken time to look at the options and have sought help — whether it be a son or a daughter, or a community-based organization, or a faith-based organization or 1-800-MEDICARE — they begin to realize that maybe the system is geared toward them, Bush said. The more options a senior has to choose from, the more likely it is that the benefit is going to be tailored to his or her needs.

The president often suggested people check the program Web site at medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.