By Associated Press
Canandiagua, NY – President Bush used a high school gym in Canandaigua Tuesday as the setting to defend Medicare's new prescription drug benefit as a good deal for seniors and taxpayers alike.
During his speech at the Canandaigua Academy, Mr. Bush acknowledged that the program was plagued by problems in its early days.
"Any time Washington passes a new law, the transition can be interesting," Mr. Bush said. "We had some early challenges."
Democrats hope to make the program's problems a liability for Republicans in the November congressional elections.
Mr. Bush also visited Ferris Hills at West Lake, a residence for seniors.
The White House is calling the Medicare Part D program a success, saying millions of seniors are already saving on their drug bills.
But critics say signup has been slow because the elderly are bewildered by the many private coverage plans being offered.
When the President arrived at Rochester International Airport Tuesday morning, he was greeted by Jason McElwain. Jason is the autistic student who made national headlines in February when he scored 20 points for his high school basketball team during the last four minutes of his first and only varsity game. Jason talked with Mr. Bush on the tarmac after Air Force One landed.