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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement today assailing President Bush for vetoing the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.
The legislation prevents the pending 10 percent payment reduction for physicians in Medicare, enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits, improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries, and extends expiring provisions for rural and other providers.
"President Bush once again demonstrated today how out of touch he is with the American people and how irrelevant he is becoming in Washington.
"Congress stepped up in strong bipartisan fashion to pass legislation to ensure that Medicare continues to work for America's seniors, doctors and taxpayers. For some reason, President Bush refuses to recognize the urgency in getting this legislation signed into law. If this legislation does not become law today, doctors might begin dropping their Medicare beneficiaries, leaving millions of seniors without access to health care.
"Fortunately, veto proof majorities in both the House and Senate have already supported this legislation. Congress should override this veto today so that we can protect the health and wellbeing of our nation's seniors."
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