CNN is reporting that both houses of Congress have overridden President Bush's veto, and, therefore, have halted planned cuts in Medicare payments to doctors.
The Senate voted 70-26 and the House of Representatives voted 383-41 to override the veto. Each chamber needs a two-thirds majority to pass a law over the president's objections.
The result of Congress' vote is the halting of a 10.6% cut in Medicare payments to doctors. This cut in payments was a part of a cost saving formula. The money to resume the payments will now be taken from the Medicare Advantage Program which aids in funding private insurers who cover senior citizens who cannot afford medical treatment through conventional means.
As social workers, Medicare is certainly a program that affects a lot of our clients. So, it would seem that the long and short of what happened with overriding the President's veto is that we are taking money from a fund that benefits seniors who can't afford medical treatment and giving it to the doctors who treat them.
I can definitely see both sides to this issue . . . Actually, this would make for a great debate.
Let me know what y'all think?
2 comments:
Truly, I feel that the amount that doctors charge for a 5 minute visit with the patient in the exam room continues to be an issue. These extravagant charges, whether paid by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, should be limited in some way. However, I do not feel that the best way to solve this issue is to take money away from the group that needs these services the most. Perhaps Congress should look into ways that other countries handle issues with health care such as Canada's system as well as Sweden's system. NPR is featuring a segment this week on Sweden's cost saving measures in regards to e.r. visits--the doctor's visit the patient in their home. Just an idea........
I don not think it is right for the president to cut into the medicare funding designed to thelp the elderly. This program need to continue to be in effect because te pension that most seniors receive is not enought to take care of their medical ex[ences and their daily need. I feel the physician should take more time and do extensive study to help prolong the lives of all clients. The physician do charge a great deal for services they may or may not render. However the clients should not suffer at the hands of the physician twice.
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