WASHINGTON (AP) _ Republicans say a bill to prevent steep Medicare
payment cuts to doctors is little more than payback for physicians
supporting the health care overhaul.
The Democratic-controlled House voted Thursday to add more than $200
billion to the deficit to prevent the cuts.
Doctors are facing a 21 percent reduction in Medicare reimbursement
rates in January unless Congress acts first. It's the result of a
flawed funding-formula that lawmakers have had to step in nearly
annually to block in recent years.
The bill passed Thursday attempts a permanent fix by restructuring
the payments and making other changes.
Past votes on the issue have been largely bipartisan, but this year
the doctor payment issue has become a proxy for the larger health
overhaul debate.
