HOUSE APPROVES MEDICARE CHANGES

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East County News Service

March 28, 2015 (Washington D.C.) - The House of Representatives has passed broad changes to our nation’s Medicare system. The bill would raise premium costs for higher income earners and extend a health insurance program for children, also setting a new formula for paying doctors.

The bill passed by a 392 to 37 vote and now advances to the Senate.

The measure was a compromise, with some Democrats opposed to provisions that continue restriction of federal funds for abortion services. Democrats also sought to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for four years instead of four.  The measure had backing from both Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

If no action is taken by the end of March, doctors could see a 21 percent cut in their fees for treating Medicare patients, though Medicare officials have said they could delay cuts for two weeks.

Under the bill, Medicare would pay doctors based on their performance, rewarding them for high-quality work rather than the volume of services provided.  The measure also boosts funding for community healthcare clinics.

Higher income Medicare patients will have to pay higher premiums for doctor visits and prescription drugs to help pay a portion of the bill’s $141 billion cost, with the rest added to the nation’s deficit.


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