HHS Secretary Nominee Leavitt and Negotiating for Drug Prices

During his sentate confirmation hearing yesterday (which clearly is not receiving as much attention as Dr. Rice's), Michael Leavitt, President Bush's nominee for HHS Secretary discussed some of his views concerning Medicare and Medicaid.  CBS reports that in the hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Mr. Leavitt expressed opposition to the federal government negotiating drug prices on behalf of seniors in Medicare.  He further stated that he believed that the Medicaid program needed reforming.  Finally, he also focused on the importance of appointing a new commissioner for the FDA quickly.

  For further information, the full hearing is available on C-Span here.  [bm]