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ShareCongress Overturns President’s Veto of Medicare Bill; H.R. 6331 Becomes Law
The homecare community scored a hard-fought victory this month when the Congress enacted H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, over the objection of the President. By approving the legislation, Congress agreed to delay competitive bidding in order to allow some critical process reforms, quality improvements, and other reforms to the bidding program and HME policy. The House and Senate both voted today to overturn the President's veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare package that includes the bidding changes and the physicians' pay adjustment.
"This is a tremendous victory for our constituents, albeit a short term one," said Marcie Roth, NSCIA Executive Director and CEO.
The key HME provisions are described on the American Association for Homecare website atwww.aahomecare.org. The House voted 383 to 41 to override the President’s veto in mid-afternoon. The Senate then took up the debate in the evening and voted to over turn the veto by a vote of 70 to 26. With the two chambers voting by two-thirds majorities to override the President’s veto, the bill becomes law.
Thank you to all of the providers, state and regional associations, manufacturers, buying groups, consumer groups, disability organizations, and other stakeholders who have worked hard to accomplish this success for homecare providers and patients.
NSCIA will continue to work with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), American Association for Homecare, United Spinal and others in the weeks ahead to ensure that patients and providers have minimal disruptions. Just today, AAHomecare met with the Acting General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services and was advised that if the override were successful, CMS would issue an immediate fact sheet on the impact of the legislation on providers.