U.S. Senate Approves Medicare Payment Legislation
July 10th, 2008
On Wednesday, July 9, 2008 the Senate approved the Medicare Improvement Act for Patients and Providers (H.R. 6331). This important vote reverses the 10.6 percent cut that took effect July 1 and the projected 5.4 percent cut scheduled for 2009. It would continue the 0.5 percent payment increase for 2008 and provides an additional 1.1 percent increase in 2009.
In a shocking moment of high political drama, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) made his first public appearance since his recent surgery and provided the momentum for passage. The final vote to close debate and approved the bill was 69 “yes” to 30 “no”.
The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) announced that it strongly supports H.R. 6331 because the Act contains provisions that provide 18 months of positive Medicare payment updates and takes an important first step in correcting operational failures in the Medicare Advantage program identified by MGMA members. In late June, the legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House of Representatives with 355 “yes” votes and 59 “no” votes.
The bill now proceeds to the White House for the president’s signature. Previously, President Bush threatened a veto due to the bill’s Medicare Advantage provisions.
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