Would make it harder for HMO's to drop out

Gore would deal with this problem by making it harder for HMO's to join or drop out of the federal health assistance program.

For example, he would force HMO's who take on Medicare recipients to do so for a two-year period instead of the current one year.

"A two-year participation period will make it harder for HMO's to withdraw from coverage, increasing the reliability and stability of the program," the booklet explains.

Eliminate some co-payments

Gore's plan would also eliminate co-payments and deductibles for a range of preventive care services, including hepatitis B vaccinations, colorectal and prostate cancer screenings and mammograms.

Much of the booklet criticizes Bush's Medicare proposals, including the Republican's plans to add a prescription drug benefit Gore calls "woefully inadequate."

"Governor Bush's Medicare reforms and prescription drug plan would threaten the ability of seniors to receive consistent health care," the booklet charges. It says Bush would turn Medicare into a "voucher-like system" that would increase premiums for traditional Medicare and push millions of seniors into private HMO's.

Gore offered a general overview of his Medicare proposals in a conference call with reporters on Sunday. "As the baby boomers retire, Medicare faces insolvency unless we act now. I want to make a rock-solid commitment to Medicare," he said.

"The Gore/Lieberman approach is very different from what the other side is proposing," he added. "The other side uses the Medicare surplus for a tax cut that primarily benefits the wealthiest Americans."