GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: While the vice president raises money today in Florida, Mr. Clinton is wrapping up three days of the same out West. CNN's Kelly Wallace joins us from Los Angeles -- Kelly.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Gene, President Clinton has been silent about the latest developments concerning Vice President Gore's 1996 campaign activities. However, at every stop on this West Coast trip, which is expected to bring in about $4 million for the Democrats, the president has passionately praised his vice president, saying he is the most qualified person to run for president in Mr. Clinton's lifetime. At that time same time, the president is using every opportunity he has to press Congress to provide about prescription drug coverage to seniors under Medicare. In his weekly radio address, he mentioned using some of the budget surplus to provide this coverage. White House officials say that budget surplus could be about one trillion dollars than previously thought. Mr. Clinton saying the government can afford to do this now and -- quote -- "do this right."</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My plan would be affordable and getable, and give every senior equal coverage. Because our economy is so strong and because we've worked hard to put the Medicare trust fund back on sound footing, we have the money to do this now and do it right. We should use a part of our hard-earned budget surplus to meet America's most pressing priorities, like paying down the national debt, strengthening Medicare and providing prescription drug benefits.</s>WALLACE: And Mr. Clinton announced improvements to his earlier plan, including capping out-of-pocket expenses at $4,000, and also offering the benefit one year earlier than originally planned, in 2002, as opposed to 2003. Now the House of Representatives will vote on a Republican-backed plan this week. That plan takes a different approach, providing subsidies to private insurance companies to encourage them to offer seniors drug coverage. The poorest seniors would be covered by the government. Both sides well aware that is an issue that is very near and dear to the hearts of seniors. Both sides know the issue could play a parole in the November elections. Kelly Wallace, CNN, reporting live from Los Angeles.
President Pressing Congress to Provide Prescription Drug Coverage to Seniors Under Medicare