$180 Million Cut in Louisiana

$180 Million Cut in Louisiana

eAlert

Stop the Medicare Cuts

Congress Overrides Presidential Veto of HR 6331 7.15.2008
House votes 383 to 41 to override President Bush's veto; Senate votes 70-26 to enact the law.

Find Out How Your LA Congressmen and Senators Voted 7.16.08

Final Vote on HR 6331 to Override Presidential Veto 7.15.08

Yeas	Nays
Sen. Landrieu - D	Sen. Vitter - R
Rep. Alexander - R	Rep. McCrery - R
Rep. Boustany - R	Rep. Scalise - R
Rep. Cazayoux - D
Rep. Jefferson - D
Rep. Melancon - D

Latest LSMS Media Release 7.17.2008
Read the AMA's Statement 7.15.08
Read Dr. Russell Klein's Letter and Call to Action 7.11.08
LSMS-AARP Joint Release 7.2.08
Read LSMS' Statement 6.30.08

On July 9th, the Senate passed H.R. 6331, the "Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008," by a veto-proof majority of 69-30. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) entered the chamber midway through the roll call to cast his vote in favor of the bill—his first appearance in the Senate since his operation in early June. Eighteen Republican Senators joined Senate Democrats to make this a bipartisan process.

Here is how Louisiana senators voted:
Senator Mary Landrieu - Yea
Senator David Vitter - Nay

The legislation replaces the 10.6% payment cut that went into effect on July 1 with a 0.5% update extension through December 31, 2008. For calendar year 2009, the update will be 1.1%. Other important provisions such as extending the GPCI floor on physician work were also included.

The bill must now be signed into law by President Bush, who has signaled on more than one occasion that he intends to veto it. However, given the fact that the bill passed both chambers with the two-third majority needed to override a veto, there is reason to question the next steps by the White House.

Many thanks to all of those who worked long and hard over the Independence Day congressional recess to keep up the pressure and persuade members of the Senate to do the right thing for patients and physicians. The grassroots response was truly tremendous.

Vote Summary

Question: On the Cloture Motion (Upon Reconsideration, Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consider H.R. 6331 )
Vote Number:	169	Vote Date:	July 9, 2008, 04:11 PM
Required For Majority:	3/5	Vote Result: Yeas - 69; Nays - 30 Not Voting - 1	Cloture Motion Agreed to
Measure Number:	H.R. 6331(Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 )
Measure Title:	A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, and for other purposes.

Contact the White House and urge President Bush not to veto HR 6331
Facts about the physician payment update formula
Impact of the cuts on Louisiana
More information about HR 6331

House Vote on HR 6331

Yeas	Nays
Jefferson - D	Scalise - R
Melancon - D	McCrery - R
Alexander - R	Boustany - R
Cazayoux - D

Contact Senator Landrieu and Senator Vitter

Mary Landrieu (D)	David Vitter (R)
Web Site: landrieu.senate.gov Washington Office: 724 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1804 Phone: (202) 224-5824 Fax: (202) 224-9735 Main District Office: 500 Poydras St., #1005 New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: (504) 589-2427 Fax: (504) 589-4023	Web Site: vitter.senate.gov Washington Office: 516 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-1803 Phone: (202) 224-4623 Fax: (202) 228-5061 Main District Office: 800 Lafayette St., Ste. 1200 Lafayette, LA 70501 Phone: (337) 262-6898 Fax: (337) 262-6373

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