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Idaho seniors and disabled citizens

BOISE, Idaho -- To nearly 180,000 Idaho seniors and citizens with disabilities, a sound Medicare system is a matter of life or death. Yet, a vote by Republican Rep. Bill Sali of Idaho today betrayed those Idahoans, their families and the physicians the that the patients rely on.

Facing the prospect of at least 10 percent cuts, Congress responded with vital legislation to protect the soundness of Medicare. It passed by wide, bipartisan margins, but was vetoed by President Bush. Today, the House voted by an overwhelming margin to override that veto. But Sali voted No!

“This is a stunning betrayal of the very people Bill Sali is supposed to serve and flies in the face of Idaho’s rural economy,” said Jim Hansen, Executive Director of the Idaho Democratic Party.” Hansen pointed out that Idaho’s other congressman, Mike Simpson, voted for the override. “Because Idaho has so many people who depend on Medicare to survive – particularly in rural areas – a vote to override should have been a no-brainer for an Idaho congressman.”

The measure – the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 – is paid for by ending overpayments to big corporate health plans and allows Medicare to withhold 15 percent of payments to providers who refuse to pay their taxes and owe billions of dollars in back taxes.

“This year, thousands of Idaho families are already struggling with the consequences of the mortgage crisis and the huge increase in gas prices,” Hansen said. “Bill Sali is saying to Idahoans who are elderly or have disabilities that this year it’s ‘Three Strikes and You’re Out!’”

BACKGROUND:

• Today, Representative Sali refused to override the President’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which stops a 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2008. [HR 6331, Vote #491, 7/15/08]

• The measure is paid for by ending overpayments to big corporate health plans and allows Medicare to withhold 15 percent of payments to providers who refuse to pay their taxes and owe billions of dollars in back taxes.

§         The measure also helps more beneficiaries qualify with premium assistance, provides parity for Medicare mental health benefits, and increases coverage for preventive services.

§         The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act also protects access to heath care for seniors and people with disabilities in rural America.

• Nearly 180,000 Idaho seniors and people with disabilities depend on Medicare for their health care.  If the 10% cut goes into effect many doctors would leave Medicare, forcing seniors to find new physicians. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 07/05; New York Times, 6/17/08]

§         The bill is backed by a number of organizations including the American Medical Association, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council on Aging and the National Rural Health Association.

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