The White House has released a proposed framework for improving and modernizing Medi-care. Calling Medicare’s benefit package “outdated,” the proposal introduces measures to bring the program into the new millennium while ensuring its long-term stability.

President George W. Bush’s framework for Medicare reform includes the following principles:

• All seniors should have the option of a subsidized prescription drug benefit;
• Medicare should provide better coverage for preventive care and serious illnesses;
• Today's beneficiaries and those approaching retirement should have the option of keeping the traditional system;
• Medicare should provide better health insurance options, like those available to all Federal employees;
• Medicare legislation should strengthen its long-term financial security;
• The management of Medicare should be strengthened so that it can provide better care for seniors;
• Medicare's administrative procedures should be updated and streamlined, while the instances of fraud and abuse should be reduced;
• Medicare should encourage high-quality health care for all seniors.