Also from the WSJ's Washington Wire:
MEDICAID COMMISSION will be administration-selected, not independent.
Health Secretary Leavitt will choose members, disappointing Senate moderates who pushed in budget debate for an independent panel. A bipartisan group urges Leavitt to defer to the Institute of Medicine, a government advisory organization. A senior Republican aide says the institute can't move quickly enough.
The panel will recommend ways to trim $10 billion over five years and propose longer-term steps to revamp Medicaid. Frist says it will be a "fair and balanced" group of state and federal officials, Medicaid recipients and health-care providers. Tennessee's Gov. Bredesen is one possible choice.
Arkansas Gov. Huckabee, a Republican presidential prospect, warns some cuts spur later costs.
Ha, who knew that Frist had such a deft touch for sarcasm!
