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Bush visits Missouri to push new drug plan

ANCHOR INTRO:

President Bush visited Mid-Missouri today to persuade seniors to sign up for his new presciption drug plan.

Hillari Duthoo (DOO-thoh) has the story from the Capitol.

The president said Tuesday that he hoped his visit would encourage seniors to educate themselves about Medicare Part D.

Members of Missouri Chamber of Commerce and a pre-screened group of senior citizens listened to a discussion panel explain the benefits of Bush's new Better Deal for Seniors.

Audience member Carol Ellinger says that while she doesn't take any prescription medication, she thinks the new plan is necessary.

"I think that the demand, the public demand was there to do something about giving prescription drugs to seniors because a lot of seniors have enourmous, enourmous prescription drugs."

Before the townhall meeting, Bush watched residents at Lutheran Senior Service Center sign up for the new plan.

Those who chose to sign up for the plan after May 15 would be penalized.

From Jefferson City, I'm Hillari Duthoo.

ANCHOR INTRO:

The President visited Mid-Missouri to push his new prescription drug program.

Hillari Duthoo (DOO-thoh) has more from the Capitol.

Amid cheers and applause Tuesday, the President took the stage with 6 other panel members to discuss his Better Deal for Seniors.

Bush watched earlier in the day as elderly at the Lutheran Senior Service center signed up for the program.

He says he is trying to keep a committment to seniors that was made in the Johnson Administration.

"You know Medicare would pay thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars for ulcer surgery but not a dime for the prescription drugs to help prevent the ulcer from occuring in the first place. That didn't make sense."

There is a push to get seniors signed up before the May 15th deadline, to avoid penalties in the form of higher premiums.

From Jefferson City, I'm Hillari Duthoo.