The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

p> HILLARY COST CONTAINMENT br> With campaign finance reform pretty much a done deal, the White House is moving to develop a health-care reform package ahead of the Democrats. Already, the White House has been putting out parts of its senior prescription drug benefit plan. But according to White House sources and health-care lobbyists who have been brought over to 1600 Pennsylvania for background briefings and advice, the Bush plan will involve a lot more than just prescription benefits. /p>

"They're looking at a much larger plan, something they can get a few Democrats to back early," says one lobbyist who has been participated in the meetings. "Cost-containment for the health-care industry: hospitals, long-term care, where the real spikes in costs are occurring, infant and child health-care issues."

The Bush team has set a late spring deadline for the health-care plan so that it can be rolled out after the campaign finance reform furor has been put to rest, and also give the White House time to line up Democratic support. "We need a Democrat backing whatever we put forward, someone high profile," says a White House aide involved in health-care and domestic policy.

And the name on the top of the list is ... Sen. Hillary Clinton. "We're at least going to talk to her. Why shouldn't she want to be part of the solution if we'll give her a role?" asks the aide. Other Democrats mentioned as potential allies: Zell Miller of Georgia, Dianne Feinstein of California and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

One name not on the list: Ted Kennedy. "We've worked with him on education. We don't think he'd be receptive to a second go round. He might earn a reputation as a Republican shill. And no one wants that," says the aide.

topics:
Education, Hollywood, Supreme Court