Gore Prescribes Medicare Drug Plan

W A S H I N G T O N, July 3 -- Vice President Al Gore, fresh from an attackon big oil, toughened his criticism of drug manufacturers today byblaming “price gouging” for the soaring cost of prescriptions.

At a high school in suburban St. Louis, Gore touted his plansfor a “real, comprehensive prescription drug benefit” underMedicare, a proposal that he said offered a sharp contrast with theRepublicans.

“We’ll put the power of medical science back in the medicinecabinets of our mothers and fathers,” he said. “It’s the rightthing to do.”

Gore was accompanied on the campaign swing by House Democraticleader Dick Gephardt of St. Louis, who said that prescription drugswould be a key issue not only in the presidential race but inDemocratic efforts to regain control of Congress.

“It’s a huge, huge issue,” Gephardt said. “When I go door todoor in my district, people undoubtedly bring it up.”

Gore was headed late today to San Diego where he planned to hitthe subject again before a senior citizens group.

Aiming for a ‘Sharp Contrast’The Democrat’s position “offers a sharp contrast with GovernorBush,” said Gore spokesman Chris Lehane, referring to Republicanpresidential rival George W. Bush. He said of the drug companies:“They’re close to the Republican Party.”

So far this year, Lehane said, drug makers have given theRepublicans more than $3 million compared with just over $700,000to the Democrats.

The vice president’s strategists think the prescription drugissue is a solid one for his campaign because drug costs have beenrising much faster than the overall inflation rate and the issuetouches millions of families.

The proposal Gore has offered — costing $255 billion over 10years — would offer prescription drug coverage to 40 millionpeople. His plan calls for Medicare paying for half of theprescription drug costs up to $5,000 a year.