Bush touts Medicare during Missouri trip

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With the enrollment deadline barely a month away, President Bush came to Missouri on Tuesday to encourage the millions of people still not signed up for a new Medicare prescription drug benefit to do so quickly.

Bush used a talk-show format with testimony from several Medicare participants who said they had saved hundreds of dollars a month on their prescription drug benefits since enrolling in the new program.

"This is a good deal," Bush said on more than one occasion at a Jefferson City performing arts center.

The Republican president's appearance marks the third recent White House visit to Missouri, following fund-raisers Monday night for Sen. Jim Talent featuring Vice President Dick Cheney and last week featuring first lady Laura Bush.

Democrats claimed the frequent visits show Republicans are concerned about Talent's re-election campaign against Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill.

Bush's focus on Medicare comes in advance of a May 15 deadline for seniors to enroll in one of the program's many new private drug plans. People who sign up later could have to pay higher premiums.

Helen Robinette, a Jefferson City retiree, said her prescription drug costs were $300 a month before enrolling in the Medicare drug plan. Now she pays less than $100 a month.

"It's been a godsend," she said.

McCaskill and Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton, whose district includes Jefferson City, both used Bush's visit to call for the enrollment deadline to be extended.

McCaskill suggested the open enrollment period should run through the end of 2006.

The Medicare drug benefit is shaping up as a top issue in Missouri's Senate race.

Talent, who supports it, has held 48 "town hall" prescription drug meetings since Congress passed the law.

"Each month, more and more seniors are signing up to pay less for their prescription drugs or to access a drug benefit for the first time" under the new Medicare plan, Talent said in a written statement released Tuesday before Bush's events.

McCaskill said at a Capitol news conference Tuesday that she supports offering a Medicare drug benefit through private plans. But she complained the Medicare Part D program is too confusing and costs too much. She plans to begin a 10 city RV tour through rural Missouri on Wednesday, focusing on the Medicare plan, access to health care and the need to reduce drug costs for seniors.

"I think it probably needs to be changed to Medicare Part F," McCaskill said. "I think the 'D' is too generous of a grade."