Bush about the Medicare health program (Pravda Ru)

President Bush kicked off Thursday what he called a “massive” nationwide outreach to millions of seniors to make sure they are enrolled for the first-ever Medicare prescription-drug benefit that begins in January.

President Bush Discusses New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Medical News Today)

President Bush delivered remarks at HHS on Thursday promoting a new prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries. Thank you very much. Please be seated — unless you don’t have a seat. (Laughter.) Thanks for coming, it’s glad — I’m glad to be back to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Private health plans want piece of Medicare prescription drug action (Detroit News)

WASHINGTON — Despite fears that private health plans might shy away from participating in Medicare’s new prescription drug program, the federal government has received bids from enough companies to assure Medicare’s 42 million beneficiaries of a wide range of choices when the program starts up next year, industry and government officials say.

Medicare will cover all anti-HIV drugs (The Advocate)

Medicare will cover all anti-HIV drugs”,”The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that all state-run Medicare prescription drug plans will cover “”all or substantially all”" HIV-related medications, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Bush urges private plans with Medicare (Palm Beach Post)

WASHINGTON — President Bush urged Medicare beneficiaries Thursday to enroll in private plans that will provide increased preventive health care and substantial assistance in buying prescription drugs.