First lady lauds husband’s work on Medicare, taxes

Dan Kulin

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

First Lady Laura Bush touted her husband's work on Medicare and taxes during a 20-minute speech Thursday before about 7,000 AARP members at the group's annual meeting in the Las Vegas.

Bush said that when her husband became president "Medicare was outdated and seniors were paying the price ... My husband designed a plan to strengthen Medicare and worked closely with members of AARP to give seniors better coverage under Medicare."

All seniors should have full prescription drug coverage by 2006, she said, and she encouraged members of the audience to take advantage of the prescription drug cards that are available now.

Referring to other key issues for Baby Boomers, Bush said her husband "will not raise taxes and he will not cut benefits" for social security recipients. That comment prompted strong applause from the audience.

Bush said the tax cuts her husband pushed for have helped the country overcome a sluggish economy and corporate scandals. Also, she said the country has added 1.9 million jobs during the last 13 months.

The first lady also garnered applause for her comments on the need to stop frivolous lawsuits, which she said are driving up the cost of health insurance, the war in Iraq and elections in Afghanistan.

On the controversial issue of stem cell research, Bush said her husband is the only president to authorize federal funding for such research.

Michele Patrick, 55, a travel agent from Long Beach, Calif., arrived at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at 6:45 a.m. to make sure she got a front-row seat for Bush's scheduled 10 a.m. appearance.

"She's a great example for women," Patrick said. "She supports her husband and she supports her country."