Cheney said, "Our nation has the best health care in the world, and President Bush is making it more affordable and accessible to all Americans." He added that Bush would "reform medical liability so the system serves patients and good doctors, not personal injury lawyers" (Cheney speech text, Washington Post, 9/2).

Bush To Discuss Health Care

In his speech at the convention on Thursday, Bush likely will discuss "new ways to help the uninsured obtain health coverage," according to the Post (Allen/Weisman, Washington Post, 9/2).

Bush likely will focus on his "vision of an 'ownership society'" that would encourage U.S. residents to "save more and assume larger responsibility for their retirement and health care," the Raleigh News & Observer reports (Westphal, Raleigh News & Observer, 9/2).

Bush on Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, said that in his speech he will discuss proposals such as transferable health insurance for workers who switch jobs (Willard, Akron Beacon Journal, 9/2).

In addition, Bush advisers said that his 50-minute speech will describe his record and proposals, such as the enactment of a Medicare prescription drug benefit, as "reforming and adapting government." According to the Post, "Bush's agenda consists almost entirely of expanded or repackaged ideas he has promoted before -- partly because the deficit precludes major new programs." Bush campaign strategists this week have said that the "political terrain has shifted dramatically in the president's favor" and that "specific proposals are unnecessary," the Post reports (Allen/Weisman, Washington Post, 9/2).