[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 117 (Wednesday, July 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition 
to the President's shortsighted veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare 
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, and urge my 
colleagues to vote to override this veto.
  Medicare has been a true success story for seniors--but Medicare will 
continue to succeed only as long as doctors continue to participate. 
And no doctor can afford to take a 10 percent cut in payments.
  Last week, H.R. 6331 passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in 
both the House and Senate because our Nation's health depends on it. 
The bill eliminates the Medicare-killing payment cut and provides a 1.1 
percent increase for physicians for 2009. It provides mental health 
parity in the Medicare program--something I've been fighting for, 
because people suffering from mental illness are just as in need of 
treatment as people suffering physical illness. The bill also allows 
poor people to keep more of their assets and still qualify for help 
with Medicare costs.
  My district includes more hospitals than probably any other district 
in the country--and all the doctors affiliated with those hospitals 
have offices in my district. They have been clear--unless they receive 
fair payment for their work, they cannot afford to continue to treat 
Medicare patients. Without good doctors, seniors' health will suffer. 
Congress was right to pass this bill the first time, and I hope we 
stand strong to pass it again today. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
voting to override the President's veto.

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