Bush Presses Lawmakers on Drug Plan

[cthrumatrix]

Bush Presses Lawmakers on Drug Plan
Congressional Negotiators Hustle to Try to Save Medicare Compromise
By Dana Milbank and Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, November 14, 2003; Page A07


ORLANDO, Nov. 13 -- President Bush on Thursday tried to increase public pressure on a divided Congress to complete negotiations over a Medicare prescription drug program, but lawmakers failed to overcome an impasse that has hobbled the $400 billion, 10-year plan.

As congressional negotiators sought to salvage a tentative compromise that had been reached Wednesday, Bush flew to the gray-haired land of Florida and demanded the House and Senate settle their differences and enact by the end of next month legislation updating the 1960s-era health care program for the elderly.

"The choice is simple: Either we will have more debate, more delay and more deadlock, or we'll make real progress," Bush said in an appearance at Walt Disney World here. Urging lawmakers to break the stalemate, he added: "We've come far. Let's finish the job."

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38377-2003Nov13.html

I need to know more about this debate. Has anybody been following it? Is this good or bad for seniors? As usual, there is no educating people to what is at stake.

[cthrumatrix]

1. It seems that seniors are being used by both parties....

"Senate Democrats increased their criticism of the GOP leaders' approach. Several liberal organizations representing health care consumers and older Americans appeared in the Capitol with Democratic senators to denounce this week's offer. At the same time, AARP, which has praised Frist and Hastert's offer, and a lobbying group of older Americans who favor private health plans, sponsored rallies in the cities at events at which Bush's remarks were broadcast."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38377-2003Nov13.html

[Don_G]

2. Debate?

As in do it now because I need the Drug Industry PAC money?