Senate fails to spare doctors from Medicare cuts

[Citizen]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100618/ap_on_bi_ge/us_congress_spending#mwpphu-container

WASHINGTON – The Senate passed legislation Friday to spare doctors a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments — but the last-ditch effort did not come in time.

Moments after the Senate acted, Medicare announced it would begin processing claims it has already received for June at the lower rate. The reason: the House cannot act on the fix until next week.

That means doctors, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and other providers who bill under Medicare's physician fee schedule will have to resubmit their claims if they want to be made whole, with added paperwork costs both for the providers and for taxpayers.

"Congress is playing Russian roulette with seniors' health care," Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement. "This is no way to run a major health coverage program."

The affected bills cover the early part of this month. An earlier congressional reprieve expired May 31. Medicare had been holding off on processing claims in the hopes lawmakers would act, but the agency said it can no longer do that without hurting doctors' cash flow.

The Medicare cuts are required under a 1990s budget-cutting law that Congress has routinely waived. This time, lawmakers' concerns about adding to the deficit held up a deal to allow an exception to enforcement of the law.

The bill passed by the Senate delays the cuts until the end of November — after congressional elections — when lawmakers hope the political climate is better for passing a more permanent, and expensive, solution.

The bill would also increase payments to providers by 2.2 percent. The legislation, which costs about $6.5 billion, is paid for with a series of health care and pension changes that both Democrats and Republicans agreed to.

The Senate approved the measure by voice vote Friday after failing the night before to pass a larger package that included the funds.

The larger package included jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed, aid to cash-strapped states and the extension of dozens of popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals that expired at the end last year. The package failed to generate enough votes Thursday evening to end a Republican filibuster.

Vice President Joe Biden, speaking before the Senate acted, blamed Republicans for being unwilling go along with a permanent fix to the doctor cuts — which would cost tens of billions more. He said the underlying physician payment formula is unworkable, and should be repealed.

"The failure to deal with this problem adds to the anxiety of seniors...and complicates the planning for medical practice," Biden said. "It's just not fair to keep this anxiety level constantly in play here."

He called it "a shameful example of business as usual."

The political gridlock has angered doctors. The AMA says continuing financial uncertainty could undermine Medicare, which covers 46 million seniors and disabled people. Physicians may stop taking new Medicare patients, and some may drop out of the program altogether.

"It is astounding that Congress has let seniors down through their inability to deal with this problem on time and in a responsible fashion," Wilson said.

[mrmeangenes]

Perfect example of "good conservative values".

[bairdi]

Perfect example of "good conservative values".
The party of "NO" strikes again.

[doctordog]

Obama has shown his failed leadership yet again. This is just one of many disappointments that have come out of this administration.

[Trinnity]

The party of "NO" strikes again.
Again with that one? I better not EVER hear you fussin' about parrots or talking points........

[Moby]

Obama has shown his failed leadership yet again. This is just one of many disappointments that have come out of this administration.
Wayers, the President of the United States doesn't lead the senate :lmao2: Neither does the Vice President. Have you been listening to Sarah Palin again? :lmao2:

[doctordog]

Wayers, the President of the United States doesn't lead the senate :lmao2: Neither does the Vice President. Have you been listening to Sarah Palin again? :lmao2:

I know the democrats do, But if Obama would quit the bling system spending this would have never happened. I think you must be kissing Chris Matthews good morning every day.:lmao2:

[Moby]

I know the democrats do, But if Obama would quit the bling system spending this would have never happened. I think you must be kissing Chris Matthews good morning every day.:lmao2:
How much as Obama increased spending over the previous administration?

[doctordog]

How much as Obama increased spending over the previous administration?


Obama is spending 3 times more per day than the Bush administration, don't you read your own board?:banghead:

http://www.dcjunkies.com/showpost.php?p=205338&postcount=1

[nondual]

Obama has shown his failed leadership yet again. This is just one of many disappointments that have come out of this administration.
:lmao2: :lmao2:

[Trinnity]

Wayers, the President of the United States doesn't lead the senate :lmao2: Neither does the Vice President. Have you been listening to Sarah Palin again? :lmao2:
The Vice Prez IS the President of the Senate. (You know that, or you should !!)
But that duty has been neglected for decades. They usually just show up to break a tie.
Hey, nobody knows what Biden does all day..............:lmao2:

[doctordog]

Obama is spending 3 times more per day than the Bush administration, don't you read your own board?:banghead:

http://www.dcjunkies.com/showpost.php?p=205338&postcount=1

Crickets on this one, figured as much.

[T-Cat]

Obama is spending 3 times more per day than the Bush administration, don't you read your own board?:banghead:

http://www.dcjunkies.com/showpost.php?p=205338&postcount=1This is ridiculously false. Obama is not spending anywhere near 3 times more per day than Bush did. He's spending about 16% more right now. Three times more would be a 200% increase, so claiming he is spending three times more than Bush is an exaggeration of over 12 times.

[Moby]

The Vice Prez IS the President of the Senate. (You know that, or you should !!)
But that duty has been neglected for decades. They usually just show up to break a tie.
Hey, nobody knows what Biden does all day..............:lmao2:
This is why you can't learn about The Constitution by watching political pundits.

The Vice President is the ex officio President of the Senate. If you educated yourself on the process that does not mean "lead". The Vice President is usually not present when the Senate meets. The VP only gets to vote when there is a tie vote which I don't think has happened in this Senate.

Of course I'm sure that Beck has told you something different which as an adult you should know that if there is truth there it is not the entire truth but only what he wants you to know.

[Moby]

Obama is spending 3 times more per day than the Bush administration, don't you read your own board?:banghead:
Wayers. When will you stop lying. Don't you understand this stuff doesn't work when people can respond. It only works on TV, radio or your mindless blogs such as The Washington Examiner.

[Fuzzy1Gold]

This is why you can't learn about The Constitution by watching political pundits.

The Vice President is the ex officio President of the Senate. If you educated yourself on the process that does not mean "lead". The Vice President is usually not present when the Senate meets. The VP only gets to vote when there is a tie vote which I don't think has happened in this Senate.

Of course I'm sure that Beck has told you something different which as an adult you should know that if there is truth there it is not the entire truth but only what he wants you to know.

Article I Section 3.4 The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, ...

[CosmicRocker]

Article I Section 3.4 The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, ...
ex officio:
•An ex officio member is a member of a body (a board, committee, council, etc.) who is part of it by virtue of holding another office.

So the VP holds office in the Executive branch, and by that is ex officio
President of the Senate.

If you saw the series about John Adams, you saw him sitting there while the Senate debated, but not having a say,
unless it was to cast a tie breaking vote.
The VP no longers presides in person, but still holds the title.

The Senate Majority leader ( Harry Reid) in effect is the leader, as he controls when/what bills are brought to the Floor.

[Trinnity]

I haven't heard Beck address the issue.

The VP's the Prez of the Senate. The Constitution says so. Period.

[Moby]

The VP's the Prez of the Senate. The Constitution says so. Period.
The Constitution does not say that the VP leads the Senate, presides over every session or has a vote on typical issues. You need to look further in order to understand how things works. Or, you can just keep posting and getting your education from Glenn Beck :banghead:

[doctordog]

Wayers. When will you stop lying. Don't you understand this stuff doesn't work when people can respond. It only works on TV, radio or your mindless blogs such as The Washington Examiner.

didn't read the link, figures, denial is the first sign. Don't post to me if all you are going to is throw a tantrum.

[mrmeangenes]

Fascinating diversion from the REAL issues here !

The "Frank Lunz " wing of the Senate predicts healthcare reform will cause doctors to abandon Medicare patients (something we've been hearing over and over again-right here)..... then tries to make that a self-fulfilling prophesy by stalling on a long-overdue increase in medical care fees.

So, to divert from this issue, we dance to the familiar refrain of Constitutional language -versus- actual long-standing custom.

[Moby]

didn't read the link, figures, denial is the first sign. Don't post to me if all you are going to is throw a tantrum.
I followed the link. It doesn't show any daily break downs. Didn't you read it yourself?

Please post the numbers and an official source to support your claim.

[Moby]

Fascinating diversion from the REAL issues here !

The "Frank Lunz " wing of the Senate predicts healthcare reform will cause doctors to abandon Medicare patients (something we've been hearing over and over again-right here)..... then tries to make that a self-fulfilling prophesy by stalling on a long-overdue increase in medical care fees.

So, to divert from this issue, we dance to the familiar refrain of Constitutional language -versus- actual long-standing custom.
Interesting thought.

[MintJulep]

The "Frank Lunz " wing of the Senate predicts healthcare reform will cause doctors to abandon Medicare patients (something we've been hearing over and over again-right here)..... then tries to make that a self-fulfilling prophesy by stalling on a long-overdue increase in medical care fees.

So, to divert from this issue, we dance to the familiar refrain of Constitutional language -versus- actual long-standing custom.Five hundred billion is being cut from Medicare to fund Fauxbama Care. You do the math.

[mrmeangenes]

"You do the math ".

Okay, Minty: show your work.

[nondual]

Five hundred billion is being cut from Medicare to fund Fauxbama Care. You do the math.
Says who, Limbaugh?

[mrmeangenes]

Incidentally, I must apologize to Frank Luntz - the Word Doctor- for mispelling his name as "Lunz".

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Frank_Luntz

(Some info on Mr. Luntz at link).

The use of "wordsmiths" in politics is hardly new. I recall reading a book during the Eisenhower years which detailed the close relationship between "Madison Avenue" and both political parties. There were even Ad Agency execs serving in the White House, according to the author.

(Sorry: title of a book I read that far back escapes me !)

[nondual]

The use of "wordsmiths" in politics is hardly new. I recall reading a book during the Eisenhower years which detailed the close relationship between "Madison Avenue" and both political parties. There were even Ad Agency execs serving in the White House, according to the author.

(Sorry: title of a book I read that far back escapes me !)
Right, but some of the talking points that Mr. Luntz sometimes proposes border on 'Newspeak'.

[MintJulep]

Says who, Limbaugh?No. Fauxbama sez.....

Fact: Cuts to Medicare will total nearly $500 billion, hitting hospitals, home health providers, physicians and more. Doctors throughout the country have seen their Medicare payments reduced in recent years and expect more cuts in the future because of ObamaCare.

A February survey by three national neurosurgeon groups, for example, showed that 50% of neurosurgeons were reducing the number of Medicare patients they were accepting into their practice. The Mayo Clinic in Arizona has also started turning away Medicare patients. Other physicians are following suit. How is this preserving a senior's choice of doctors?

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/536677/201006082315/Seniors-Must-Scrutinize-Medicare-Mailer.aspx

[Citizen]

There IS such a thing called a "budget" in this world and the fact of the matter is cuts or increased costs are going to be part of budgeting. Swallow it liberals this is your shit. Hey, I didn't want it.

[nondual]

No. Fauxbama sez.....



http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/536677/201006082315/Seniors-Must-Scrutinize-Medicare-Mailer.aspx
Newt? Nuck Fewt!

[mrmeangenes]

Minty, I like Gingrich-as a writer. His "alternative history" of Gettysburg was one of the most compelling pieces of fiction I've ever read- and it took me a while -though I knew better- to convince myself this was NOT the way the battle of Gettysburg turned out.

His "Fauxbama" opinion piece is almost equally persuasive - but fiction nonetheless.

Thanks for the link !