Congress Overrides Bush’s Veto on Medicare

[Zenlitened]

Source: New York Times

President Bush cast a futile veto on Tuesday, rejecting a bill that would protect doctors from cuts in their Medicare payments. But hours later, the House and Senate voted to override the veto, making the Medicare measure the fourth bill to become legislation over Mr. Bush’s opposition.

The president’s veto message to the House said that he objected to the bill because it was “fiscally irresponsible” and relied on “short-term budget gimmicks” that do not address the long-term fiscal soundness of the Medicare program.

But the House voted, 383 to 41, on Tuesday afternoon to override the veto. Soon afterward, the Senate voted by 70 to 26 to do so. Although the Senate vote was close enough to provide some suspense, it was still over the two-thirds needed, as a number of conservative Republicans who typically side with the president broke with him on this issue.

The bill cancels a 10-percent cut in payments to doctors that would otherwise occur automatically because of a statutory formula that reduces payments when spending exceeds certain goals. The president said he supported the main objective of the bill, to forestall reduction in physicians’ payments, but that he had too many reservations about other aspects of the legislation.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/washington/16medic.html?hp

[katmondoo]

1. Oh Good

I was waiting to hear that. Thanks for posting

[DarthDem]

2. Tee Hee

DunceBoy gets slapped down. A shame.

[helderheid]

3. rec 3!

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Take that, you AWOL Republicon Homelander, you." - America

[Frisbee]

5. As if...

"but that he had too many reservations about other aspects of the legislation." As if he's even capable of understanding it.

[jmowreader]

13. He understood it perfectly, and that was the problem

He figured out right off that signing the bill wouldn't help anyone on the Bush Pioneer and Bush Ranger lists. He also figured out that a sustained veto would help those people. So...roll the dice, and hope 35 Senate Republicans have his back.

Always remember: a dollar saved by screwing the middle class, is a dollar that can go toward a tax cut.

[Hugin]

6. Yay!

Now back to work! :D

[Faygo Kid]

7. Beautiful. I thought the override would get 70 in the Senate.

This is a big smackdown. I don't think a lot of Republicans were happy that Bush pushed this "futile veto" on them again.

[Prophet 451]

8. What were the other 3? n/t

[satya]

9. Isn't this the one Ted Kennedy voted for, but McSame couldn't be bothered to show up? nt

[Hugin]

10. Thanks for reminding me!

Even more YAY!

:D

[Zenlitened]

11. Here is Sen. Kennedy's statement on the override...

... as posted tonight on his website:

“Last week, by a veto proof majority, the Senate demonstrated its intent to keep Medicare strong and effective for years to come. I was proud to return to Washington and cast that important vote for our seniors. Today, Congress rightly overrode President Bush’s misguided veto and renewed the promise of Medicare. It’s a great vote and a great day for America’s seniors.”

Link:
http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=ac27d106-f66b-4e12-a94b-da237a328909

:)

[defendandprotect]

18. "Bush's misguided veto" . . . to say the least . . . Bush is a criminal--!!!

[classysassy]

36. Thanks

Ted and God bless you.

[1monster]

12. I can think of a way to pay for the extra Medicare costs. Just withdraw from Iraq, send the

National Guard and the Reserves home.

That would save combat pay for active duty soldiers.

It would save active duty pay for the Reserves and the National Guard.

It would save the extra fuel costs inherent in any military action.

It would save all the supply and logistiacal costs inherent in any military action.

It would save the cost of all kinds of ammo inherent in a war.

It would save future costs of more and more wounded (physically, mentally, and emotionally) wounded soldiers.

It would save the costs for rebuilding the infrastructures that would be destroyed by future military actions.

Etc., etc., etc,...

Then some of those savings could go to getting Medicare in order.

Or perhaps to providing health care for all of us.

If only we had a government that gave a damn.

[defendandprotect]

19. Imagine what we could have done with all that money . . . !!!

[skooooo]

14. Finally, something for the poeple!

[AngryAmish]

24. or at least the doctors

They need bigger yachts, dammit!

[WriteDown]

26. Exactly!

To believe that doctors don't overcharge or over treat to make money is just foolish!

[dbackjon]

27. Bullshit

I am controller for a medical practice in Arizona, providing life-saving chronic care to over 15,000 patients (nephrology). We lose our shirts on Medicare/AHCCCS as it is, even before the cuts. Our doctors are committed to providing care to thousands of Medicare/Medicaid/Indian Health Services patients. Our doctors travel to remote corners of the state, providing care for patients on reservations.

[AngryAmish]

30. And now they can get even more kick-ass boats!!

This is win-win.

[dbackjon]

31. Actually, I don't know of a single doctor in our practice that owns one

Your point??


The practice employs 30 doctors, and 100+ support personnel, plus helping the lives of 15,000 chronically ill patients - you would be happy for all that to disapear?

[AngryAmish]

32. Disappear? The American yacht building industry needs you!

It is very important that they get more taxpayer money. Boats aren't free, you know!

on edit: Maybe they can get their boats now that they have got a raise. It is a crime for a doctor not to have a yacht.

[dbackjon]

33. Wow - you are Angry. Stereotype much?

[Skittles]

15. it must be an election year n/t

[redqueen]

29. ...

:thumbsup:

[Drum]

16. Take that, ya bully-pulpit moron.

Thanks Congress...for this one. Get yer mojo back asap and hurry back with some other human-oriented stuff...the spine will strengthen with vigorous use!
:thumbsup:

[defendandprotect]

17. Good . . I'll have to go see what my fascist Rep did --- Ferguson/NJ . . bleech!

[AllHereTruth]

20. Only 4 overrides...seriously?

[spag68]

21. Even though this is not an earth shaking bill,

It's another one in the plus column. Each one that gets done makes the next one easier. Maybe if the spineless in congress get a bigger majority in the election, they will actually do the right thing. The right thing of course is impeachment for both of them. and jail for their assistants. MY only problem is whether bush is a traitor-criminal or a criminal-traitor.

[jwirr]

22. Finally - something good.

[fasttense]

23. I guess that's something.

It certainly does NOT make up for letting the telecoms get away with ignoring the Constitution. It's something that the bush didn't want so it has got to benefit the middle class.

[cbayer]

25. very good news indeed.

Had his veto stood, it would have brought the medical system to its knees. My kduos to all the congressmen and women who stood up for what is right here.

[Doremus]

28. The best part was that we stuck it to the pugs

The pugs up for re-election wouldn't dare vote against Medicare, so they had to vote against Chimpy this time. Beautiful!

[sakabatou]

34. W00t

[Roy]

35. What if anything does this mean for dental coverage? n/t