President George W. Bush wound up a Chattanooga visit early Wednesday afternoon with an hour-long informal health care forum at the Convention Center.

Some 500 Chattanoogans, including many of the city's leaders, were in attendance as the President moderated the event aimed at promoting his new policies aimed at making health care more affordable.

He was on the podium with selected citizens and business owners - all of whom said they either could not afford health care coverage or had inadequate coverage.

President Bush praised Gov. Phil Bredesen, who was also on stage and explained his CoverTennessee program.

The President introduced Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, Rep. Zach Wamp, Mayor Ron Littlefield and County Mayor Claude Ramsey, though they did not speak at the Convention Center event.

The President arrived in Air Force One at Lovell Field just after 11 a.m.

He briefly shook hands with a small group of mostly GOP faithful who were awaiting him.

He also presented a volunteer service award to Debbie Chadwick, 43-year-old Chattanooga woman with Downs Syndrome who is a longtime nursing home volunteer.

Then he was whisked into a presidential limousine. His motorcade, which had formed hours earlier, then proceeded to Erlanger Medical Center on East Third Street.

He was led on a tour of the hospital by Erlanger CEO Jim Brexler, including demonstration of some high-tech equipment at the hospital.

The motorcade arrived at the Convention Center around 12:30 p.m.

A small group of protestors was along Carter Street across from the Convention Center, but they were outnumbered by those sporting signs in support of the President.

Security was tight for the visit and a wide swath of local freeways were shut down while the motorcade was in transit.

State troopers and Chattanooga Police were stationed at each freeway underpass along the route.

The events were not open to the public and the Erlanger visit was open only to a local press "pool" that included the Times Free Press (newspaper), WRCB Channel 3 (TV) and WGOW Talk Radio (radio).

WGOW Radio provided extensive coverage, and the three local TV stations had live coverage while the President was at the Convention Center.

President Bush called Erlanger "a pretty fantastic hospital." He said, "I thank Erlanger for being on the leading edge of compassion."

He told of trying out a robotic surgery machine and joked, "There wasn't anybody on the other end of the machine, you'll be thankful to know."

He said his mission was "affordable health care," saying that currently "it's not affordable and it's not accessible to too many people and that's not acceptable."

He introduced Health and Human Services Administrator Mike Leavitt, former Utah governor, who came with him on Air Force One and was on the podium at the Convention Center.

President Bush called Lamar Alexander "a good, thoughtful guy" and introduced former Chattanooga mayor Corker as "a fellow you know pretty well who used to be in the business of paving your roads and filling your potholes."

Speaking of Rep. Wamp, he said, "All he talks about is Chattown. I'm glad I finally listened to him. I am really thrilled to be in this beautiful part of the country."

President Bush said private medicine works best, but he said a number of steps need to be taken to boost it, including giving tax breaks to allow individuals to afford private health care.

Erlanger physician Dr. Joe Cofer described the local Project Access program, which he said has provided more than $13.9 million in free medical care to over 1,600 patients.

He said the local program, led by Rae Bond, has help found similar programs in Knoxville and elsewhere.

President Bush said afterwards, "Thank you for recognizing that the federal government and state government can't do it all."

Sitting near the President was Danny Jennings, who said he has two children and operates a nursery at McMinnville, but cannot afford health insurance. The President said the new deduction would allow him to save about $4,500 in taxes and allow him to buy health insurance for about $47 per month.

The President urged those present to contact members of Congress in support of his tax deduction proposal. Of Congressman Wamp, he said, "You don't need to write Zach. He's already on board."

He also boosted the idea of bringing "transparency" in health care pricing, saying that will spur competition and help reduce costs. And he spoke in favor of health savings accounts that would be tax free. Another idea was having small businesses joining together to "pool their risks."

And he said, "I strongly believe we've got to do something about lawsuits." He said some counties no longer have OB/GYNs because of malpractice suits.

A single mother who is an office manager in McMinnville said she has a pre-existing condition and health care costs for her are "just outrageous."

Amy Childress, an interior designer from Nashville, said she had to drop her health plan when the cost rose to $210 a month. She said she now pays $100 per month, but the deductible is $5,000.

She told the President she is 35, and he responded, "You don't look a day over 34." Ms. Childress replied, "Most people tell me 22, but that's OK."

The President, looking abashed, noted that he is not going to be running again. He also joked, "Who invited Amy?"

Will Smith of Chattanooga said he has nine fulltime employees in his development firm, but he cannot afford health insurance for them.

There was one unscheduled stop near the end of the presidential visit. The Bush entourage stopped for some barbeque at Porker's on South Market Street.

Rep. Wamp, Mr. Brexler and several Erlanger doctors were among those feasting with the President.

Afterwards, Bush said he recommended the local barbeque.