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President Bush Vows to Help With Border Problems NewsMax.com WiresEL MIRAGE, Ariz. -- President Bush said Monday he will work with Gov. Janet Napolitano and other border governors to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, where political leaders have been calling for help to deal with waves of illegal immigrants. Bush told a crowd in this retirement community that he understands the federal government's obligation to enforce the border. Story Continues Below "It's important for the people of this state to understand, your voices are being heard in Washington, D.C.," he said. Making reference to Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican who introduced Bush here, the president said, "This senator and this Congress are going to work closely with the administration to make sure we have the resources necessary to do our responsibility, which is to enforce this border. And we'll do so." Bush made the trip west from his Texas ranch to lend a hand to the administration's effort to sell older Americans on the value of a prescription drug benefit that begins next year for Medicare patients. Trying to combat confusion about and criticism of the new government drug plan, Bush was making appearances in both Arizona and California Monday to talk it up. After spending the night in San Diego, he speaks on Tuesday at the Naval Air Station North Island there to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. His remarks focus on fighting terrorists and the ongoing campaign in Iraq. They recall the Aug. 14, 1945, Japanese surrender that came just days after the United States incinerated the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs. There has been indications that efforts to build support for the Medicare drug benefit - including a few other appearances around the country by Bush - are paying off. Congress allocated about $300 million to an awareness campaign. A recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found for the first time that people were as likely to have a favorable view of the plan as to have an unfavorable view. Still, the survey found that more people do not plan to enroll than do. The prescription drug benefit kicks in Jan. 1. About 43 million beneficiaries will be able to choose from two or more private plans that offer drug coverage. Enrollees will pay a monthly premium averaging about $32, but the amount will vary among regions, and millions of poor people will pay nothing. Beneficiaries will also have a $250 deductible, meaning they will have to pay that amount for their prescriptions before the drug plan covers expenses. Again, millions of poor beneficiaries will not have any deductible. After spending more than four weeks operating from his Texas ranch, Bush returns to Washington on Friday. © 2005 The Associated Press
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