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Bush, Dems compete as Medicare's championsPopular program marks 38th year
By Sean Loughlin
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congressional Democrats and President Bush vied Wednesday to portray themselves as champions of Medicare, as the popular government health insurance program marked its 38th anniversary. At rival events, Democrats and Bush touted their own efforts to revamp the program, and each focused on providing a new prescription drug benefit for seniors as part of Medicare. The House and Senate have passed bills that do just that, but there are some differences in coverage that must be reconciled before Bush can sign anything into law. "The 38th anniversary of Medicare is a time for action," Bush said at a White House ceremony, where he urged lawmakers to resolve their differences when they return from the summer recess. "The purpose of the Medicare system is to deliver modern medicine to America's seniors; that is the purpose. And in the 21st century, delivering modern medicine requires coverage for prescription drugs." While that notion has widespread, bipartisan support, Democrats and Republicans differ on the details. Many Republicans believe the legislation must do more to introduce more private competition in the health-care system for the elderly and that there must be more stringent efforts to contain costs. And many Democrats believe Republicans want to dismantle the government program and move completely to a private system. "There are those of us on the Senate side who really do suspect, not politically but genuinely, that this is an effort -- the beginning of an effort and very obviously a huge beginning -- to gradually phase out Medicare as a public expense," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia, at a news conference. Long supported by Democrats, Medicare was established in July 1965 under the Johnson administration, providing health insurance for elderly Americans. It was later expanded to provide coverage for persons with disabilities and today serves about 40 million people. Making changes to Medicare has long been a tricky political endeavor, a testament to the political power of America's seniors -- a significant voting bloc. Bush said as much in his comments Wednesday. "You know, for a long time Medicare was called 'Mediscare,' and it meant that political people weren't supposed to touch it for fear of losing an election," Bush said. "The minute you talked about reform of Medicare than all of a sudden you were supposed to lose, because people would bang you over the head on the issue." The president, however, vigorously embraced the idea of a new prescription drug benefit, a move that changed the political dynamics of tackling Medicare. In June, the House and Senate passed bills that would grant a prescription drug benefit as part of Medicare, as well as provide seniors more choices for the type of health insurance plans they want. The estimated cost of providing that drug benefit is about $400 billion over the next decade, a price tag that has dismayed some conservatives uneasy with the prospect of a new government entitlement. Bush, however, indicated no hesitation on Wednesday, describing Medicare as a "continuing moral responsibility of our federal government." However, Bush said medicine has evolved-- relying more on preventive drugs instead of surgeries -- and Medicare must adapt to those changes. Democrats stress they don't want to do anything that undermines the government support or commitment to Medicare. "We intend to do everything we can to keep it," said Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota.
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