Profile: Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt

— -- President Bushpicked Mike Leavitt, chief of the Environmental Protection Agency since November 2003, as his choice to succeed Tommy Thompson as the secretary of Health and Human Services. Leavitt was confirmed by the Senate on Jan. 26, 2005.

In selecting Leavitt, the president chose a former governor and Republican loyalist who recently made it through the Senate confirmation process, making him a safe pick.

Bush described Leavitt as "an ideal choice" to head an agency that handles many politically charged domestic issues, calling him a "fine executive" and "a man of great compassion."

Leavitt's nomination was somewhat of a surprise as many believed Mark McClellan, the head of the national Medicare program and brother of White House spokesman Scott McClellan, would get the nod.

The HHS secretary oversees Medicare and Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Indian Health Service.

Leavitt faces such controversial issues as federally funded stem cell research, the importation of drugs, Bush's proposed prescription drug benefit for seniors, and the recently criticized FDA, which has been without a permanent leader since March.

HHS has a budget of $580 billion in 2005 -- $67 billion is considered discretionary funds -- and employs about 67,000 workers.

In his speech accepting the nomination, Leavitt said he looked forward "to the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug program in 2006, medical liability reform and finding ways to reduce the cost of health care. I'm persuaded that we can use technology and innovation to meet our most noble aspirations and not compromise our other values that we hold so dear."

Leavitt was elected governor of Utah for three terms and was the longest-serving governor in Utah's history. He hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and was up for re-election in 2004, but stepped down in November 2003 to head the EPA.

Bush described Leavitt as "a leader in welfare reform, resource management and environmental stewardship."

Before becoming governor, Leavitt was president and chief executive of The Leavitt Group, a regional insurance firm. He served as chairman of the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees from 1985-89, and was a member of the Utah State Board of Regents, overseeing the state's nine colleges and universities, from 1989-92.

Leavitt, 53, was born in Cedar City, Utah. He graduated with a B.A. in economics and business from Southern Utah University. He is married to Jacalyn S. Leavitt, with whom he has five children.