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With the enrollment deadline for the Medicare prescription drug program little more than a month away, President Bush was in Jefferson City, Missouri encouraging seniors to sign up. KSMU's Missy Shelton was there and files this report.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 650 people at the Miller Performing Arts Center, President Bush called on family members and churches to help seniors sign up for the federal government's prescription drug program.
Critics say seniors are overwhelmed by the wide range of coverage plans.
The president acknowledged that some seniors are confused when they go to choose a plan.
Because the program can be confusing...there are more than 40 plans in Missouri alone...the president called on family members to help relatives sign up.
Democrats in Missouri say seniors are angry because they could face a penalty if they don't choose a plan by the May 15th enrollment deadline.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill is the likely democratic candidate who will challenge incumbent senator Jim Talent.
She's been traveling the state with her mother talking to seniors about the Medicare prescription drug program.
Three Missouri seniors joined President Bush on stage at the event in Jefferson City...one of them was Bob Vanderfeltz...who was not wearing a suit...
Bob Vanderfeltz told the president and the crowd that he used the toll free Medicare drug hotline to get help with his enrollment.
He said it saved him money during a recent trip to the pharmacy.
The president's event in Jefferson City attracted between 40 and 50 protestors who stood outside the performing arts center...They held signs that criticized both the war in Iraq and the prescription drug program.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill says Republicans have been inflating the number of people who have signed up for the prescription drug benefit.
The president's visit to Missouri comes one day after Vice President Dick Cheney was in Springfield. That was a campaign event, a fundraiser for Republican Senator Jim Talent.
For KSMU News, I'm Missy Shelton in Jefferson City, Missouri.
