Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Washington in brief
Leavitt says administration trying to help insure more people
By wire services
Published February 4, 2005
WASHINGTON - President Bush will propose about $140-billion in new spending over the next decade to help more people get health insurance, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said Thursday.
Of the total, he said, $10-billion would go toward covering more children through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which focuses on children of the working poor.
Leavitt said an additional 12-million to 14-million Americans could get access to health insurance over the next 10 years.
The government estimates that 45-million people lack health insurance. Of those, 8.4-million are children, according to the latest census figures.
Budget to curb domestic spending
WASHINGTON - President Bush will propose squeezing substantial savings next year from domestic programs, giving them less than the 2.3 percent increase they would need to keep pace with inflation, the White House budget director said Thursday.
Joshua Bolten provided no other figures or examples. But from his description, it was possible that such programs - from buying parkland to training unemployed workers - would get no more than the $391-billion the White House says they are receiving this year, or even less.
The administration will release its new budget on Monday. The proposal comes as Bush is projecting a $427-billion deficit for 2005, the third consecutive record shortfall in dollar terms. He has pledged to reduce deficits to $260-billion by 2009.
Rice makes first trip in new role
WASHINGTON - Iran's nuclear program, an upcoming Mideast summit and the next U.S. move in Iraq top a crowded agenda for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during her weeklong trip to Europe and the Middle East.
Starting with a staunch ally on Iraq, Rice was meeting today with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Britain has provided strong political support leading up to the war and contributed a substantial number of troops.
President Bush has counted on Blair, and now the prime minister is expected to press the United States on several issues, including Iran and the Middle East.
Rice is scheduled to visit eight European capitals as well as Jerusalem and the West Bank.
[Last modified February 4, 2005, 00:20:03]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
