The Bush administration has announced it plans to seek deep cuts to Medicare and a freeze on new Medicaid spending in its budget request for fiscal 2009. Overall, the White House is trying to slash $208 billion from federal health programs over the next five years. More than 80 percent, or $170 billion, would come from Medicare. The proposed reductions are even more extensive than those in the administration’s proposals last year. Other areas will see funding increases. The White House is proposing to boost border funding by 19 percent, including $2 billion for border fencing, barriers and surveillance technology. The US deficit is expected to more than double to $400 billion with the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the administration’s tax cuts.