McClellan resigning as Medicare chief

WASHINGTON, Sep 5 (Reuters) The Bush administration's point person for the Medicare and Medicaid health programs, Mark McClellan, is stepping down, the White House said today.

McClellan oversaw the rollout earlier this year of the new Medicare prescription drug program for older Americans.

''He'll be missed by the president and the entire administration,'' White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters.

The prescription drug program, created by legislation that President George W Bush fought to push through the US Congress, got off to an difficult start as many older Americans were bewildered by the wide array of choices.

Democrats have criticized the glitches but Republicans hope the new benefit will help them in their push to retain control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

A medical doctor and an economist, McClellan has headed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services since March 2004 and has served in the Bush administration for five years. Prior to heading the Medicare program he was commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and before that, was a member of Bush's Council of Economic Advisers.

McClellan is the brother of Bush's former press secretary, Scott McClellan, who left the administration earlier this year.

REUTERS MS KP2031