But he helps neighbors who are less fortunate. Fla. Even those who can afford their drugs often make sacrifices. Amid such stories of financial distress, Medicare's financial problems can get lost. Gore and Bush are, of course, worried about the 2000 election, not the one in 2032. Seniors are swing voters in this election.
Polls show that seniors strongly defend their interests.
But it makes you wonder why we hear almost nothing about the 11 million children who have no insurance. Children don't vote is the obvious answer. Both presidential candidates have talked occasionally about Medicare's financial problems. But health-policy experts say the American public hasn't accepted that Medicare's financial predicament is more severe than the one facing Social Security. Not only are medical costs rising fast, but the number of seniors is growing.