HHS advisory panel to propose reforms

Washington, D.C.-HHS secretary Tommy Thompson is looking for waysto improve programs and regulations, particularly for Medicare and Medicaid,as well as FDA oversight of pharmaceuticals and medical products. Thompsonnamed a new advisory committee to identify reform issues. The 27-memberpanel is headed by Mayo Clinical cardiologist Douglas Wood and includesrepresentatives of health plans, hospitals, government agencies and providers,including WellPoint Health Networks chairman Leonard Schaeffer and executivesfrom Humana and Province Healthcare of Tennessee.