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U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Wednesday, July 9, 2008 |
CONTACT:Michael Amodeo – 303-249-5286 |
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Sen. Salazar: "Medicare Vote Saves the Day for America's Seniors, Doctors, and Service Members" WASHINGTON, DC – Today, led by United States Senator Ted Kennedy in his return from a seven week medical absence, the United States Senate approved H.R.6331, the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act, a bill that replaces a drastic 10.6 percent Medicare reimbursement rate cuts for doctors that went into effect on July 1st with a 1.1 percent increase. The bill provides urgently needed relief to Medicare doctors and preserves access to care for the millions of seniors and veterans who depend on the program throughout the country. Just two weeks ago, the bill had fallen one vote short of the 60 that were required, prompting Sen. Salazar, his colleagues, and millions of seniors, doctors, and patients, to hunt for one more vote. Instead of one vote, they found ten - the motion to move ahead with the bill was agreed to by a vote of 69 to 30. “Today’s vote is a triumph for millions of seniors across the country who rely on the Medicare program and millions of service members, military retirees, and their families who rely on Tricare. For months, my colleagues and I have done everything in our power to craft a bipartisan Medicare fix that would have averted these cuts to Medicare and Tricare and the health care train wreck that was coming,” said Senator Salazar. “Today, just two weeks after we fell one vote short, we have saved the day, thanks in large part to Senator Ted Kennedy’s heroic return to the Senate after his medical absence. Now, the President needs to sign this bill, and stand with America’s doctors, families, and seniors.” H.R.6331, which passed the
House by an overwhelming 6-1 margin, will now go to the President’s
desk for signature. ###
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