07.15.08

Cantwell Dismayed at President's Refusal to Protect Medicare for Millions of Americans

Medicare Cuts Will Make Access to Care Impossible for America's Seniors and Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC – Tuesday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) expressed disappointment over the President’s veto of legislation that would block cuts to Medicare.
 
“President Bush is turning a deaf ear to the needs of our seniors and veterans,” said Cantwell. “Despite overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill in Congress, the President has once again put special interests over the interests of the American people.  We will act as quickly as possible to reject this irresponsible veto.”
 
After President Bush’s veto, Medicare will be cut by 10.6 percent for the remainder of the year.  The cuts impact active duty service members and veterans utilizing TRICARE, which ties its payment rates to Medicare.  HR 6331 would freeze physician payments for 2008 and provide a modest increase the following year. 
 
The House of Representatives is expected to override the President’s veto today.  The Senate will then proceed to its own override vote. HR 6331 passed the Senate with a veto-proof majority (69-30) on July 9th. 
 
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