WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- President Bush urged Congress Wednesday to act quickly and "finish the work" on his Medicare reform package.
He told administration staffers prescription drugs, expanded coverage for preventive medicine and therapy and more health choices for seniors "are within our reach." He said the aim was to bring "the best of modern medicine" to older Americans and told his audience, "I want to sign that legislation into law before the year is out."
"Most American seniors and people with disabilities are grateful for the current Medicare system," the president said. "Yet they understand the system has problems. Our job is to address those problems. We should carefully correct the problems.
"Life is changing," he said. "Medicare is not."
"I'm optimistic the House and the Senate negotiators will produce a bill that brings real savings to millions of seniors, and real reform to Medicare," Bush said. "For seniors without any drug coverage now, these reforms will make a big difference in their lives."
