News
House Passes Medicare Package, Senate Action Needed
WASHINGTON, DC—The US House of Representatives passed its Medicare package Tuesday by an overwhelming margin, including a provision that would make pulmonary rehabilitation a permanent Medicare benefit.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where there two different Medicare packages are awaiting a vote. Any final Senate action would have to be reconciled with the House bill.
The Bill, HR 6331 “The Medicare Improvement for Patient and Provider Act”. HR 6331 includes two other provisions of major importance to the patient community:
- Repeal of the title transfer of oxygen equipment to patients after 36 months of Medicare payments for equipment
- A delay in the implementation of the competitive bidding Process for oxygen providers.
Miriam O’Day, the Foundation’s Senior Director of Public Policy, said support from the Alpha-1 community and many other organizations helped to insure passage of these provisions in the House.
“The House vote was by a veto-proof margin of 355-59,” O’Day said. “This is a victory but far from over. The Senate must still take action, and we need grass-roots support to make sure these provisions are included in the Senate Medicare Package.
“Contact can be e-mail, fax or phone. The Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-2131 and will connect you to any Senate office,” O’Day said.
