Medicare Drug Program Explained

> Actual news conference transcript
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> I know this will clear up any questions you might have on the
> Medicare Drug Program
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> Subject: Bush Explains Medicare Drug Bill
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> Bush Explains Medicare Drug Bill -- Verbatim Quote
> Submitted on 2005-12-13 16:35:14
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> WOMAN IN AUDIENCE: 'I don't really understand. How is it the new plan
> going to fix the problem?'
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> Verbatim response (PRESIDENT BUSH):
> 'Because the -- all which is on the table begins to address the big
> cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example,
> is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage
> increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the
> formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those
> different cost drivers, affecting those -- changing those with
> personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more
> likely to be -- or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does
> that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a
> series of things that cause the -- like, for example, benefits are
> calculated based upon the increase! of wages, as opposed to the
> increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate -- the
> benefits will rise based upon inflation, supposed to wage increases.
> There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into
> effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised
> benefits grow, if those -- if that growth is affected, it will help
> on the red.'