Rep. Kind Votes to Override President's Veto of Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act

Statement

Rep. Kind Votes to Override President's Veto of Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) today joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House to successfully override President Bush's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act (HR 6331). This bill prevents a potentially devastating cut to physicians and makes some important improvements to Medicare benefits for seniors and the disabled.

"The President was wrong to veto this bill and put the care of millions of seniors at risk," Rep. Kind said. "I am proud that Democrats and Republicans in the House stood together today to protect and maintain the health care that seniors in Wisconsin and across the country depend on. I now urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same."

Specifically, the bill will:

* Prevent a 10.6 percent payment cut for thousands of doctors serving Medicare beneficiaries and instead provide them with a 1.1 percent increase, helping to ensure that seniors can continue to see the doctors they trust;
* Strengthen and extend important reimbursement provisions for rural communities and providers;
Expand preventive services for seniors;
* Reduces costs of mental health treatment for seniors; and
* Improve protections and assistance programs for low-income beneficiaries.

Rep. Kind is a member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare.

Source