Medicare Bill Update and Watch

[Guest guest]

Was just reading locally and thought it interesting to post. As many

probably remember right before the holiday the house passed a bill to

stop the cuts in medicare payments, limit respiratory rehab, and

implement the bidding system on medical equipment. The senate tried to

get the bill to the floor but was one vote short. The President also has

indicated he might veto it but it appears the house could override a

veto. Now, the American Medical Association has aired TV ads in states

where senators voted to keep it from being voted on (primarily

republican as it was pretty much party lines) and especially where there

is a race underway to try to apply pressure. They did so in Texas where

Cornyn voted against sending it to the floor. Also, it is estimated

that to date the two Texas Senators have received 56,000 calls from AARP

members. The Senate is expected to try again tomorrow or Wednesday. The

President has put on hold processing of claims at the lower rates until

the Senate has a chance to decide.

If you want to encourage your senator to support the bill which is

critical to those of us on medicare but ultimately also to everyone not

on medicare and especially on oxygen then you can call .