51.   But perhaps the hottest issue with voters is prescription drug coverage for the elderly.

52.   But radical restructuring will be a hard sell politically without adding drug coverage.

53.   But Snowe said she believed that some insurers would offer drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, with the federal subsidies envisioned in her bill.

54.   But sometimes the extra premium for drug coverage equals or exceeds the maximum benefit payment for drug expenses.

55.   But some Washington skeptics are beginning to say drug coverage under Medicare is inevitable.

56.   But the HMOs typically offer prescription drug coverage and other benefits not available in the fee-for-service program.

57.   But the HMOs cancelled unlimited drug coverage in January after Congress and a federal judge overturned the state law.

58.   But so far, the question of gender equity in prescription drug coverage has mostly been one for the legislatures.

59.   But the opportunity is double-edged, because it also gives HMOs a chance to scale back drug coverage as well as expand it.

60.   But the government itself would not directly provide drug coverage, nor would it purchase drugs or regulate drug prices.