Senate passes Medicare bill

The Senate on July 9 passed H.R. 6331, legislation that would prevent a July 1 Medicare physician payment cut from taking effect. The bill received a vote of 69-30, exceeding the 60 affirmative votes needed to invoke cloture and begin debate on the bill, which overwhelmingly passed the House last month. The bill subsequently passed on a voice vote.

Sponsored by Reps. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and John Dingell (D-MI), H.R. 6331 would freeze physician payments for 2008 and provide a 1.1% increase for physicians in 2009. It also contains several rural hospital provisions and would delay for 18 months the competitive bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment (DMEPOS).

The Senate last month failed to invoke cloture on both this bill and similar legislation (S. 3101) sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT). The bill will now be sent to President Bush for signature, although he has said he will veto the measure due to the provisions that would cut payments to Medicare Advantage plans.

[ via AHA News Now ]