Senator Reid Backs Away From Separate Medicare Doctor Payment Bill

October 21, 2009

$247 billion cost over 10 years not offset or paid for

The October 21, 2009 NAHU Newswire edition reports, in an attempt to sway doctors to push for healthcare reform, the bill introduced by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) reforming the payment formula that sets Medicare reimbursement payments to doctors does not have the support needed to push it through. GOP lawmakers and centrist Democrats are concerned about the cost of the bill with no means of offsetting it.

Senate Democrats may be shielding their home states from reform costs. It is reported that some provisions in the Senate healthcare reform legislation added by, others to include Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), Nevada would receive help with its' Medicaid bills. Elderly in Florida and New York as well as certain professions would get a break on a new insurance tax.

Other articles in today's NAHU Newswire include:

• Health insurers' antitrust exemption defended
• Pelosi keeping public option in House bill
• Senate Democrats shield home states from reform costs
• Number of patients seeking emergency care increased after Massachusetts health reform, survey indicates.

<<- Return to News