White House Ready to Deal on Kids' Health

Leavitt says he'll work with Democrats on insurance bill

By Caroline Zimmerman, Newser User

Posted Oct 7, 2007 3:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – The White House will work with Democrats toward a compromise on children's health insurance, Health Secretary Michael Leavitt said today. "If it takes more money, we'll put it up," he said, though he didn't specify how much. Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi is trying to get the 14 GOP votes the House needs to override Bush's veto of the bill, the AP reports.

"Everybody wants children to have health insurance," Leavitt said. He and Bush have condemned the primarily Democratic initiative to boost spending on the State Children's Health Insurance Program by $35 billion as a move toward nationalizing health insurance. They pushed for a $5 billion increase, but now that figure is up for negotiation.

This photo provided by ABC News shows Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, talking about the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) on ABC's "This Week" Sunday, Oct. 7,... (Associated Press)

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, right, talks with New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine about the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) on ABC's "This Week" Sunday, Oct.... (Associated Press)

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, right, talks to reporters outside the ABC studio in Washington Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, after appearing on ABC's "This Week" to talk about the State... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Hospitals Stuck With 'Permanent Patients'

Illegal immigrants, those without insurance, cost millions to care for

(NEWSER) - Look long enough in most hospitals, and you’ll probably find some decidedly unwelcome guests. Hospitals, particularly those in urban centers like New York, are faced with a growing burden from so-called “permanent patients,” who hospitals are stuck caring for even though they are well enough to be released, the New York Times reports. Hospitals by law cannot release a patient to a shelter or to the streets, so if patients have nowhere to go the hospital is stuck keeping them—and footing the bill. More»

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

(NEWSER) - Fraudsters using complicated networks of ghost companies are sucking hundreds of millions of dollars out of Medicare every year and it's a bit like taking candy from a baby, a Reuters investigation finds. The probe—which officials say will likely lead to a criminal investigation of the firms involved—found that the "companies" of many Medicare providers are registered to nonexistent addresses, or the addresses of abandoned buildings. The thieves use stolen doctor and patient data to bill Medicare for as much money as possible in a short time. More»

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

(NEWSER) - In a potentially big shift, the White House is poised to give states much more flexibility on how to implement a key part of health care reform. Under a proposal outlined by health chief Kathleen Sebelius, the federal government would largely let states determine what "essential health benefits" would be offered to residents and businesses come 2014. The New York Times calls it a "major surprise," and NPR says it "may or may not be a punt." More»

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

(NEWSER) - These days, like most Republicans, Newt Gingrich says he's opposed to the individual mandate in the Democrats' health care reform bill, which forces Americans to hold insurance. But in a May 2009 conference call with health care executives, Gingrich sang a very different tune, the New York Times has learned. "We believe there should be must-carry; that is, everybody should have health insurance," Gingrich said, "or, if you're an absolute libertarian, we would allow you to post a bond." More»

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

(NEWSER) - Roughly 2.5 million people between the ages of 19 and 25 have gained health insurance since President Obama signed his health care reform bill, more than double the 1 million the White House had been expecting, according to a new administration analysis. The bump is almost entirely due to a provision in a law that allows young people to remain on their parents' coverage until age 26. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

White House Ready to Deal on Kids' Health

Leavitt says he'll work with Democrats on insurance bill

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care • health care costs • SCHIP • health care reform • children's health care • Mike Leavitt • health secretary

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Hospitals Stuck With 'Permanent Patients'

Illegal immigrants, those without insurance, cost millions to care for

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

White House Ready to Deal on Kids' Health

Leavitt says he'll work with Democrats on insurance bill

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care • health care costs • SCHIP • health care reform • children's health care • Mike Leavitt • health secretary

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Hospitals Stuck With 'Permanent Patients'

Illegal immigrants, those without insurance, cost millions to care for

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

Fraud-fighters finding it hard to stay ahead of shell companies

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Proposal would let them determine 'essential benefits'

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

And other big government programs that benefited his clients: NYT

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People

Coverage up among 19- to 25-year-olds, now eligible for parents' insurance

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?