Obama Says Help For States To Begin Soon

He named Earl Devaney, a longtime inspector general, to serve as the watchdog for the funds to ensure there is no waste.

 U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday money from the $787 billion economic stimulus plan would go out within two days to help states pay for the Medicaid health program.

"I'm announcing today that this Wednesday, our administration will begin distributing more than $15 billion in federal assistance under the recovery act to help you cover the costs of your Medicaid programs," Obama told a gathering of the nation's governors.

He also said that he was naming Vice President Joe Biden to oversee the implementation of the stimulus plan, to make sure the money is sent out swiftly and spent wisely. He named Earl Devaney, a longtime inspector general, to serve as the watchdog for the funds to ensure there is no waste.