    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 18, 2002]
    [Pages 821-822]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 18, 2002

        Good morning. Medicare is one of the most important and
    compassionate programs in American history. It provides medical care to
    the elderly and people with disabilities. It is a source of security and
    dignity for tens of millions of Americans. The health of America's
    senior citizens is one of America's most sacred obligations, and it is a
    commitment my administration will fully honor.
        Yet we need to do more to fulfill Medicare's promise. Seniors should
    have affordable coverage choices that meet their needs, but Medicare
    does not do that. Many seniors need prescription drug coverage; Medicare
    does not provide it. And because Medicare does not cover prescription
    drugs, seniors often pay the highest prices for drugs out of their own
    pockets, forcing too many of our seniors to choose between paying for
    pills or paying their bills.
        Medicare is an essential program, but it has not kept pace with the
    advances in medicine. The Medicare program is costly for seniors and too
    often does not provide the choices that our seniors need and our seniors
    want, so Medicare must be strengthened, and it must be improved.
        Congress is working hard to pass legislation that will help many
    seniors with their drug costs and guarantee all senior citizens
    prescription drug coverage. I strongly support these efforts.
        At the same time, I am working for a Medicare-endorsed drug card
    that will allow seniors to get lower prices from drug manufactures right
    away. And I'm working for temporary assistance with drug costs for
    seniors with limited incomes, even before the full prescription drug
    benefit becomes available a few years from now.
        Medicare also needs to give every senior affordable, up-to-date
    health insurance options. Right now, more than 5 million Medicare
    members have access to valuable modern health insurance benefits and
    prescription drug coverage in Medicare Plus Choice plans.
        These improved benefits, along with innovative treatments, probably
    saved Joe Hotin's life. Mr. Hotin served in the
    Navy in World War II. He joined his Medicare Plus Choice in 1995.
    Because his health plan covers annual checkups, Joe's doctor caught a
    spot and got it treated before it turned into life threatening cancer.
        Many of these treatments and programs that can save and improve
    lives and reduce health care costs are only available through Medicare's
    private plans. Unfortunately, millions of Medicare members do not have
    the option to choose these benefits. The Federal Government has long
    provided reliable coverage choices to all its employees, but current law
    prevents private health plans from giving Medicare enrollees the same
    choices. As a result, over 100 private plans have left Medicare, and
    millions of seniors have lost the valuable additional benefits that
    private plans provide.
        We must act now to provide every Medicare member with more choices
    and more savings. Medicare needs a fair system of competition, a system
    that encourages additional benefits and options for better care at lower
    cost. Medicare is crucial to elderly Americans. I urge members of both
    parties

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    to work together to protect and improve Medicare and to maintain our
    moral commitment to millions of Americans.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 9:10 a.m. on May 17 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 18. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    May 17 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.