President to raise funds, tout Medicare bill in Florida stops
By Associated Press
Published November 12, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - President Bush will make his 17th visit to Florida since taking office, holding fundraisers Thursday in Orlando and Fort Myers with a stop in between to discuss Medicare.
Bush will speak at a $2,000-a-ticket luncheon at the Disney Grand Floridian Resort before stopping at an Orlando neighborhood center to discuss Medicare.
"The president feels we have a real and historic opportunity to improve Medicare for American seniors," said White House spokesman Taylor Gross.
Bush and Republican lawmakers support a bill that would have traditional Medicare compete directly with private health plans beginning in 2010. They view it as essential to reforming Medicare and reining in costs. Democrats say it could cause the program to unravel by leading to higher premiums for older, sicker beneficiaries.
Bush will then go to Fort Myers, where Republican National Committee finance chairman Al Hoffman will hold a $2,000-a-ticket fundraiser at his home. Hoffman said "several hundred" people were expected to attend.
The president is expected to raise over $1.5-million between the fundraisers. He has already raised $7-million in Florida, surpassing the $6-million raised here for his entire 2000 campaign.
Bush's brother, Gov. Jeb Bush, will also attend the events.
