Health industry cool to Bush budget cuts

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON - Health care providers would see their reimbursement rates from the federal government go up less in coming years when they care for the elderly, poor and disabled under President Bush's budget.

The recommendations, if adopted by Congress, would trim Medicare spending by $66 billion over five years. Also, the administration will move to trim another $10 billion in Medicare spending through regulations.

Together, the changes sought for Medicare means the program would grow at a 5.6 percent clip rather than 6.5 percent, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said Monday.

"The program will continue to grow. It will have robust growth," Leavitt said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070205/ap_on_go_pr_wh/budget_health

[Captain Hilts]

1. The budget submitted by the WH cuts 91 billion from healthcare. nt