Pelosi Outlines 2008 Democratic Priorities for Health Initiatives

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Monday discussed Democratic priorities for 2008 that included several health care initiatives, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

She said, "I'm working with Democratic and Republican governors to pass Medicaid legislation, which the White House is resisting."

In addition, Pelosi indicated a possible delay of legislation to renew the No Child Left Behind Act in the event that President Bush continues to oppose a bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program. She said, "Until he sees a more positive approach to meeting the needs of our children, I don't see how he can expect us to go forward with No Child Left Behind" (Coile, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/29).

Pelosi also has said that Democrats might seek to increase funds for medical research and establish a national electronic health record system. "There is little talk of ... dramatically expanding access to health insurance," the Los Angeles Times reports (Levey, Los Angeles Times, 1/29).