Bush nominates Leavitt to head HHS

WASHINGTON — President Bush chose Environmental Protection Agency chief Michael Leavitt on Monday to be secretary of Health and Human Services, filling one of the last two openings in his second-term Cabinet.

Bush praised Leavitt as a "fine executive" and "a man of great compassion." "He's an ideal choice to lead one of the largest departments of the United States government."

Leavitt, Utah's governor before joining the Bush administration in late 2003, would succeed Tommy Thompson, who recently resigned.

Bush also has to name a new head of the Homeland Security Department to take the place of Bernard Kerik, who abruptly withdrew his nomination Friday night, citing immigration problems with a family housekeeper.

"He himself said he should have brought it to our attention sooner," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "Commissioner Kerik pointed out that this was a mistake."

The White House conducts a "thorough review" of each candidate's personal, professional and financial background, McClellan said. During that process, administration lawyers ask the person a series of questions. "In that process, we rely, to some degree, on that candidate to provide us with all the information we need to complete that part of the — that phase of the vetting process," McClellan said.

Kerik disclosed his nanny problem during a subsequent vetting phase as he filled out a clearance form, the spokesman said.

During Monday's announcement, Leavitt, 53, thanked Bush for showing confidence in him. "I feel a real sense of understandable regret" about leaving the EPA, he said.

He said the department of Health and Human Services plays a vital part in the lives of every American.

"I look forward ... to the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug program in 2006, medical liability reform and finding ways to reduce the cost of health care," Leavitt said. "I am persuaded that we can use technology and innovation to meet our most noble aspirations and not compromise our other values that we hold so dear."

The HHS secretary oversees Medicare and Medicaid, the mammoth government health programs for the elderly, poor and disabled, as well as the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Indian Health Service.

The agency has a budget of more than $500 billion and 67,000 employees.