CMA Update

The House passed legislation to stop the 15% Medicare payment cuts before the July 1st deadline. Under the rules, the bill required a 2/3 majority. Despite massive health plan opposition and a Republican Caucus recommendation to vote NO, physicians WON! Once a 2/3 majority was clear, many Republicans switched their votes to Yes to join in the great victory.

All Californians voted YES, except
No=Campbell, Doolittle, Herger, Lungren, Radanovich, Royce. Not voting=Nunes and Speier.

Please be sure to follow-up and thank the Representatives who voted with us.

CMA appreciates the incredible lobbying that the county medical societies, physician leaders and the grassroots did yesterday. I heard from most of the offices yesterday and they were getting hit with a huge volume of physician phone calls. It made all the difference. Thank you.

This House victory is significant for many reasons. It puts enormous pressure on the U.S. Senate to pass a bill in the next 3 days. The major Republican support in the House provides cover to the Senate Republicans who may have been on the fence about these minor Medicare Advantage reforms. And the House majority is veto proof so any legislation that is close to this bill can overcome White House veto threats.

SENATE ACTION- KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

While a Senate package has not yet emerged, it is likely to be very close to the House bill.
Please keep calling Senators Feinstein 202 224 3841 and Senator Boxer 202 224 3553.
Urge them to pass a bill to stop the Medicare payment cuts and include a CA GPCI fix.