SPOTLIGHT: HHS Secretary criticized for use of CDC plane

Democrats are criticizing HHS secretary Mike Leavitt for using a private jet belonging to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Leavitt visited more than 90 cities to promote Medicare Part D over the last six months. The jet costs about $3,000 an hour to operate, according to critics. Leavitt says the trips involved legitimate public health related business, noting that in most cases he met with officials to discuss pandemic influenza in addition to the new benefit. Article