Medicare Bill Passed By Senate!!

Yippee, the Senate approved the Medicare bill passed by the House in June! It is veto-proof with a 69-30 vote!! I am pasting the info from an email I received from the AMA Patient's Action Network below:

Great news! On Wednesday, July 9, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008,” by a veto-proof majority of 69-30.

Eighteen Republican senators joined Senate Democrats to make this a truly bipartisan process. See how your senators voted here, and send an e-mail to say thank you for voting on behalf of patients and the doctors who care for them.

Thank you so much for your tireless efforts. This was a monumental grassroots effort that really turned the tide, and we proved that together we are stronger!

The bill must now be signed into law by President George W. Bush, who has signaled on more than one occasion that he intends to veto it. However, given the fact that the payment cuts have already occurred and that the bill passed both chambers of Congress with the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, there is some reason to question the next steps by the White House. Of course, we will keep you apprised as we learn more.

Again, many thanks for your help in this effort!AMA Patient's Action Network. Please take some time to thank your congressional representatives.