Medicare Bill Voiding Physician Fee Cut Passes in the Senate
With Senator Ted Kennedy back in the Senate, his crucial vote got legislation approved on Wednesday that would void a 10.6% pay cut for doctors treating Medicare patients.
The House already has overwhelmingly approved the measure, but a Senate vote two weeks ago fell one vote short of the 60 votes needed to limit debate. Senator Kennedy, who was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments for brain cancer, was not present then.
His presence Wednesday was instrumental as the vote to limit debate was approved 69-30. Under a previous agreement, once the 60-vote threshold was met, the bill was considered approved.
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.
Published on July 10, 2008
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