Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman André Carson joined a bipartisan majority in voting to override President Bush’s veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. The veto override passed by a 383 to 41 vote margin.  

H.R. 6331 eliminates the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians for the remainder of 2008 and provides a 1.1 percent increase in Medicare physician payments for 2009.  The bill also extends and improves low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries whose income is below $14,040.
 
“In voting to override the President’s veto of this Medicare bill, the House is working to ensure that the healthcare needs of our nation’s low-income seniors are properly addressed,” said Congressman Carson. “By working to preserve and strengthen our Medicare programs, we are making certain that our seniors have affordable and accessible medical services.”
 
H.R. 6331 also improves Medicare coverage of preventive health care.   Specifically, to help beneficiaries identify medical conditions or risk factors early, the bill allows preventive services not currently covered to be added to the program, as long as they are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and approved through regular regulatory channels.

-- 30 --