[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today issued the following statement after the Senate – by a vote of 70-26 – overrode the President’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, a bill which prevents a scheduled Medicare payment cut to doctors – ensuring better treatment for Medicare recipients and veterans.

“We have an opportunity once every decade, maybe once every generation to affirm our commitment to some of the most fundamental values in this country.  The Medicare program is not just another government program.  The Medicare program said in the early 1960’s that the United States was committed to our senior citizens and that commitment involved making certain that they would always have access to affordable, quality health care.

The bill that we considered today to override the president's veto says that some of the money that has been taken out of the system and out of the Medicare program has to be returned to taxpayers.  It ensures fair compensation for doctors.  It makes certain that Medicare is there for the seniors who need and that TriCare is kept up to date in reimbursement.

But most important, this vote today on overriding president bush's ill-fated veto is a reaffirmation of how important Medicare is to America’s future.  It was a strong bipartisan vote of 69 who voted just a week or so ago in favor of this measure.  The vote today in the senate reflects an even stronger bipartisan commitment to the future of Medicare."