Medicare

Remember, this is one of Bush's "legacy" programs:

California officials ordered emergency action today to cover drug costs for hundreds of thousands of elderly Californians who have been caught in a maddening cycle of bureaucratic glitches in the new federal prescription drug program.

The action by California capped a day in which the new Medicare prescription drug program -- one of President Bush's signature domestic policy initiatives -- came under withering criticism across the country from governors and members of Congress of both political parties. Critics said the program, which Bush had touted as the most significant advance in Medicare in 40 years, was fast becoming a public health emergency.

In Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, ordered state funds to be used to provide emergency drug coverage for the elderly. So far, eight states, including California, have taken that action in the last several days.