THE GOP HEALTH PLAN FOR AMERICA

Republican lawmakers today unveiled plans to cut government health care costs by putting the brakes onMedicare and Medicaid growth. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) said during testimony in the House that he wants to slow Medicare's 10 percent annual growth rate to 7 percent or less, while cutting Medicaid growth from 10 percent to 5 percent. House Speaker Newt Gingrich said a "reasonable cap" on Medicaid growth would be "well below 8 percent" if the program isturned over to the states, an idea being discussed with governors.TIME Washington correspondent Dick Thompsonsays the GOP is hoping to slow down the spending by enticing new Medicare and Medicaid patients to enroll in managed care plans.