Gore Targets Bush on Medicare
C H I C A G O, July 6 -- Keeping the focus on Medicare, Vice President AlGore says he would do more as president for the health care programfor the elderly than George W. Bush.
In outlining the contrast for seniors today, Gore will argue that he would spend an additional $339 billion over 10 years on Medicare while Bush proposes no new money for the program.
Gore, the Democratic presidential contender, will make the caseas he works his way through what is to be the final week of his“progress and prosperity tour,” which began June 13 as a two-weekswing to help him claim credit for the economy and reshape thecampaign debate.
During the swing, Gore also has focused on new educationalprograms and bolstering health care. His next plan is to highlighthis Republican presidential rival’s views on welfare.
Strategists argue that Gore’s stand on those issues is more inline with mainstream voters than Bush’s. A feature of his swing hasbeen to cast the differences in staunchly populist rhetoric, whereGore seeks to cast Bush as a defender of the rich and powerful.
“This is not a Coke and Pepsi election,” said Gore spokesmanChris Lehane. “These are candidates who have very different viewsand the differences are stark.”
Specifically on Medicare, Gore plans to argue that he hasoffered a $75 billion plan to extend the Medicare Trust Fund until2030, and a $255 billion plan to add a prescription drug benefit.
Bolster Funding for Health Care
Gore also would bolster funding for health care providers by $40billion, with the money going to nursing homes, home health careproviders and others who offer Medicare-covered care.
His opponent, he says, “has not dedicated one dime toMedicare.”
Bush’s campaign says he has been consistent in proposing toearmark $5 trillion over five years to save and strengthen SocialSecurity and Medicare, including a prescription drug benefit.
Gore has focused tightly on Medicare all week, including duringremarks Wednesday to an American Federation of Teachers conventionin Philadelphia. His loudest applause came when he issued aMedicare protection pledge.
