[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[November 15, 2003]
[Pages 1545-1546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



The President's Radio Address
November 15, 2003

    Good morning. This week I traveled to Florida to visit with seniors 
about an important goal for my administration and this Nation. After 
years of debate and deadlock, the Congress is finishing work on the 
biggest improvements in senior health care coverage in nearly 40 years.
    Some important details of the Medicare legislation have to be worked 
out, but leaders in both the House and the Senate have already agreed to 
four clear-cut improvements to Medicare.
    First, within 6 months of Medicare reform law, all seniors would be 
eligible for a Medicare-approved drug discount card. This card would 
give seniors an immediate 10- to 25-percent savings on the cost of their 
medicines. For seniors with typical drug costs of $1,285 a year, the 
card would deliver annual savings of up to $300. And for low-income 
seniors, the discount card would include a $600 annual credit toward 
drug costs.
    Second, beginning in 2006, we would establish Medicare prescription 
drug coverage for all seniors who want it, at a monthly premium of about 
$35. For most seniors without coverage today, the new coverage would cut 
their annual drug bills roughly in half.
    Third, seniors with the greatest need will get the most help. Low-
income seniors would pay a reduced premium or no premium at all for the 
new drug coverage. And low-income seniors would also have lower 
copayments for their medicines.
    Fourth, our seniors would enjoy more choices in their health 
coverage, including the same kind of choices that Members of Congress 
and other Federal employees enjoy. If seniors have more choices, health 
plans will compete for their business by offering better coverage at 
affordable prices.
    The choices we support include the choice of remaining in the 
traditional Medicare program. Some seniors don't want change, and if 
you're a senior who wants to stay in the current Medicare system, you 
will have that option. And with that option, you will also be able to 
get Medicare-approved prescription drug coverage.

[[Page 1546]]

    Some seniors may choose a new Medicare-approved private plan that 
includes a drug benefit, along with other options. Such options could 
include coverage for extended hospital stays or protection against high 
out-of-pocket medical expenses. Others may prefer managed care plans. 
Under the approach I support, seniors would have these options as well.
    American seniors are calling for these improvements. Among the 
seniors I met in Florida was Marge MacDonald. Marge and her husband Mac do 
not have prescription drug coverage, and they are frustrated. Here is 
what Marge says: ``I'm tired of the talk. Sooner or later, somebody 
needs to do something.'' Marge is right. The time for delay and deadlock 
has passed. Now is the time for action.
    I ask seniors and all Americans to speak up, to call and write your 
Representatives and Senators and urge them to work out a final bill. 
Congress has an historic opportunity to give all our seniors 
prescription drug coverage, health care choices, and a healthier, more 
secure retirement. We must make these improvements this year, during 
this session of Congress. And with your help, we will get the job done.
    Thank you for listening.

Note: The address was recorded at 10:35 a.m. on November 14 in the 
Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November 
15. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 14 but was embargoed for release until the 
broadcast. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish 
language transcript of this address.