AMA calls on Congress to stand with America's patients and physicians to override Bush veto and avoid Medicare meltdown
e-mail story | print storyJuly 15, 2008
Statement attributable to:
Nancy H. Nielsen, MD
President, American Medical Association
"Today the AMA calls on all members of Congress to put patients first by voting to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331, which would protect access to health care for millions of Americans and avoid a Medicare meltdown.
"Along with the AMA, many patient, physician, and military organizations are asking Congress to pass this bipartisan bill for the health of America. The only group opposing the legislation is a health insurance lobby eager to protect health plan subsidies and profits.
"On July 1, a Medicare physician payment cut of 10.6 percent went into effect, putting access to health care at risk for seniors, the disabled and military families. Three weeks ago, H.R. 6331 passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming, bipartisan, veto-proof majority of 355 to 59. Last week, the Senate heard the voices of patients and physicians and passed the same bill by a bipartisan, veto-proof majority of 69 to 30.
"We urge all members of Congress to stand firmly on the side of seniors, the disabled and military families and vote to override the veto and pass this bipartisan bill into law"
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For more information, please contact:
Brenda L. Craine
Director
AMA Media Relations
(202) 789-7447
brenda.craine@ama-assn.org
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