Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Leavitt Sees $60 Billion in Medicaid Savings Washington Post story - "New Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said yesterday that $60 billion can be saved over the next decade in the Medicaid health program for the poor by closing loopholes, prohibiting 'accounting gimmicks' by states and eliminating wasteful spending on items such as overpriced prescription drugs. In his first address as secretary, Leavitt sought to dispel fears that President Bush is poised to cap federal spending on Medicaid. Leavitt said the administration will not limit spending on "mandatory" beneficiaries -- the recipients who are guaranteed coverage under federal law. But left unsaid was what the administration intends for Medicaid's optional patients and services, about two-thirds of all Medicaid spending..." [Viewing Washington Post stories requires registration, which is free.]