WASHINGTON, July 10, 2008
Bush To Veto Bill Affecting Doctor Pay
Congress Will Likely Override Veto Which Would Give 2 Million Fewer People Access To Medicare And Raise Doctor Payments
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President Bush intends to block a bill protecting doctors from a cut in their Medicare pay, even though Congress seemingly has enough votes to override his veto, a White House spokesman indicated. (CBS)
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To pay for rescinding the 10.6 rate cut, lawmakers would reduce spending on private health insurers serving about 9 million elderly and disabled patients through Medicare Advantage.
That reduced spending - about $13.5 billion over five years - would slow enrollment growth. The White House predicts that about 2 million fewer people would take part in the program. That would leave enrollment at about 12 million in five years, versus the 14.3 million now anticipated.
"Taking choices away from seniors in order to pay for the reimbursements for physicians is the wrong way to pass this bill and to extend the reimbursements that we want to see physicians get," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.
On Wednesday, an ailing Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., came to the floor to cast a dramatic and decisive vote on the long-stalled Medicare legislation. The vote showed that Democrats had enough support to advance the bill, which eventually passed 69-30. Two weeks earlier, the House approved the bill 355 to 59.
Prior to the Senate vote, Democratic lawmakers had voiced doubts about whether Bush would veto the bill, even though the president's senior advisers announced that they would advise him to do so.
"The statements I've heard with respect to the potential veto are not Shermanesque. There's some give there. There's some daylight there," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.
Lawmakers are under pressure from doctors and the elderly patients they serve to void the cut, which kicked in July 1 because of a funding formula that establishes lower reimbursement rates when Medicare spending levels exceed established targets. Some doctors say they'll quit taking new patients if the cuts stand.
"I can't imagine why the president would veto this bill, because the writing is on the wall," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment
- Pelosi Says House Judiciary May Hold Hearings On Kucinich Impeachment Resolution
Lets start yesterday!!!!
Posted by liberalme at 09:52 PM : Jul 10, 2008
WHAT THE H@LL TOOK HER SO LONG? HER 401K SHRINKING TOO?!! - Reply to this comment
- Oh yes, one step closer to a socialist government. Just what everyone wants.
Posted by luvusa at 09:40 PM : Jul 10, 2008
You call it what you want, it won''t change what we Americans want. - Reply to this comment
- With a Bush Veto...which will be over ridden by the way...Seniors and Children would have no where to turn for health care. I know a number of physicians who refuse to take Medicare and Medic Aid these days.
A cut in fee''s added to the fact that they are not paid in the first place is too much for them. - Reply to this comment
- Pelosi Says House Judiciary May Hold Hearings On Kucinich Impeachment Resolution
Lets start yesterday!!!!
Posted by liberalme
Impeached for what reason again?
Posted by luvusa
Let''s start with High Treason - Reply to this comment
- Am I reading this right? Congress wants to protect doctor pay by reducing benefits for seniors and disabled people. Does this mean that doctor''s will keep earning high pay at the expense of these two groups. This is something that you would expect Republicans to do, not Democrats. Please correct me if I am wrong.
- Reply to this comment
Hot off the press-----
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Pelosi Says House Judiciary May Hold Hearings On Kucinich Impeachment Resolution
Lets start yesterday!!!!- Reply to this comment
- To answer Sen Reid''s question:
"I can''t imagine why the president would veto this bill, because the writing is on the wall," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Is easy. Two answers..... Bush is an idiot and Bush is evil. Enough said..... - Reply to this comment
- This American CRIMINAL is passing and Vetoing many Bills lately, why isn''t he broughtup on charges yet? discuss at www.theoandavirus.com
- Reply to this comment
- It is going to take a looooooooooooooonnnggg time to undo what this misunderestimated president has done....
- Reply to this comment
- It doesn''t matter what lame duck Bush does. Obama and the new democratic congress will usher in socialize medicine and stop the madness.
- Reply to this comment
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