Bush travels to tout Medicare drug benefit

SPRINGFIELD, Va. – President Bush, acknowledging the Medicare drug plan seems perplexing, urged seniors Tuesday to sign up anyway. “It’s a good deal,” he said of the program, which begins Jan. 1.

During a brief visit to Greenspring Village Retirement Community, just outside Washington, Bush said there are people who can help explain the choices offered. Under the program, the government subsidizes coverage for those covered, to a much greater extent for the poor.

Some seniors have found the enrollment process confusing, and signup has been slow. “For some seniors, this is a daunting task,” Bush said. “When you give people choice and options … it can be a situation where people say, ‘I don’t really – this is something I may not want to do.’ “

The Department of Health and Human Services expects about 28 million to 30 million beneficiaries to sign up during the enrollment period, which continues through May 15.

Seniors can get more information about the program by calling (800) MEDICARE or going online to www.Medicare.gov.

Associated Press