Senate
Medicare Victory
By Elizabeth McNeil, Vice President, Federal Government Relations,
California Medical Association |
In
a stunning turnaround, the U.S. Senate voted 69-30 to pass HR 6331,
legislation that would stop the 15% physician payment cuts in 2008-09
and provide a 1.1% update. This is an important victory for physicians
and their Medicare/Tricare patients. Like the House, the Senate
now enjoys a veto-proof margin to override a Presidential veto.
Despite the White House veto threats, it is unclear whether the
President will still veto HR 6331 given the number of Republicans
who supported the bill. As many of you are aware, the President
has threatened to veto any Medicare physician payment fix that is
funded by reforming the Medicare Advantage health plan program.
Please
Thank the California Senators
CMA thanks all physicians who worked so hard to bring about the
successful passage of HR 6331 in the U.S. House of Representatives
and the U.S. Senate. Both Senators Feinstein and Boxer voted for
the bill. CMA asks physicians to please call their offices and thank
them for their YES votes.
Senator Feinstein 202 224 3841 Senator Boxer 202
224 3553
AMA
The AMA and the other state and specialty organizations must be
given major credit for launching the enormously successful media
and grassroots lobbying campaings over the last week to swing the
9 additional Republican Senators.
Next
Steps
The CMA will keep you informed as we know more about the intentions
of the White House. We believe the President will either sign or
veto the bill as soon as possible so as not to prolong the physician
payment cuts. If the President vetoes the bill, both the House and
the Senate have the votes to override his veto. Both Houses will
act as soon as possible.
Senate
Roll-Call Vote
One final note on the Senate vote, Senator Kennedy came back from
his cancer chemotherapy treatments today just to cast a vote on
this important health care bill. He was not expected back until
the fall. Senator Obama was also present and voting yes. Unfortunately,
Senator McCain did not make it back to Washington today to vote
on the bill. He was the only Senator not voting. I will send the
roll-call vote as soon as it is posted.
CMA will keep you informed as events develop. Thanks
to all of you again. This is a significant victory for physicians
and their patients. Great work!
Elizabeth McNeil
Vice President
Federal Government Relations
California Medical Association
