White House conference on aging rips drug plan, backs services bill

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1134639099295470.xml&coll=2

Washington- The White House Conference on Aging ended Wednesday with more than 1,200 delegates leaving Congress and the president a to-do list of 50 resolutions.

Among the most popular measures was a rejection of one of President Bush's proudest accomplishments for seniors - adding prescription drug coverage to Medicare.

The delegates want a single drug plan within Medicare and want the government to negotiate lower drug prices with the manufacturers.

But the No. 1 priority for the delegates is reauthorizing the Older Americans Act - in six months. The act pays for a variety of important senior services, including meals, transportation for doctor's appointments and grocery shopping, caregiver support, and elder abuse prevention...


Delegates to conference on aging upset about changes

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1134552870299310.xml&coll=2

Washington - For the first time in more than 40 years, the president won't speak to the White House Conference on Aging. And delegates to this year's meeting cannot change the resolutions or propose others.

More than 1,200 delegates from across the country are meeting here this week for the fifth aging conference, which is required by federal law every 10 years...

Robert Binstock, professor of aging, health and society at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, said President Bush's absence was a snub. It didn't help matters that Bush made time Tuesday to visit a retirement community in a Washington suburb.

"That he went to speak about Medicare in Virginia today, instead of an assembly of delegates from all over the country indicates that he's afraid to speak in anything but a controlled environment," Binstock said during a session on improving the Medicare program, which provides health care for 43 million older and disabled Americans...

[Spinzonner]

1. Same old Coward in Chief

[Miss Chybil]

2. It absolutely amazes me we have a "leader" like this.

A guy who spends our blood and treasure elsewhere to promote "democracy" while at the same time snubbing the very process here at home. He is a disgrace and hopefully an anomaly in the history of our country.

[WePurrsevere]

3. They are required by FEDERAL Law to meet, it's only every 10 yrs & yet

Bush with his spoiled brat childish ego can't MAKE the time and effort to attend this important event? Not only that but for the first time in 40 yrs the very well qualified delegates cannot change the resolutions or propose others because someone changed the rules? This is so very wrong. :grr:

My children behaved with more class and caring as toddlers and growing up then Bush Co with their bully tactics and childish temper tantrums.