Published: June 26, 2008

Pelosi: Senate Republicans Should Stop Blocking Vote on Medicare Improvements Act

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WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today calling on Senate Republicans to stop blocking the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act and allow a vote on this critical legislation that passed the House this week by an overwhelming, veto-proof margin.

"The House did its work on behalf of seniors by passing the Medicare Improvements bill by a veto-proof margin of 355 to 59 on Tuesday.

"The vote demonstrated that improving care for seniors and ensuring fair payment for providers will not be held hostage to the White House's insistence on bloated, unnecessary subsidies for private health insurance plans that participate in Medicare.

"The bipartisan vote in the House also sends a clear signal to Senate Republicans that if they continue to stand in the way of this legislation, which is quite similar to S. 3101, they will have to explain their action to seniors and persons with disabilities when they are home next week.

"Let me be very clear: because of the House adjournment later today and the legislative process, the House will not consider any further Medicare legislation. The Senate should pass the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act without delay."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House