Drama in the Senate

Follow up on the effort to block the medicare fee cut to physicians.

          In a moment worthy of prime time TV, Senator Ted Kennedy flashed the trademark Kennedy smile, called out "Aye" to help the block over the top. After his vote, 9 others would switch their votes and get on board with those favoring the nation's doctors and seniors.

          Kennedy, having undergone recent brain surgery and currently undergoing chemo was not expected to return to the Senate until next month. However, Tuesday night, when he learned that the bill may be closerthanthis, he called party leader Harry Reid and said he'd like to come in and contribute his vote.

          His above and beyond didn't go unoticed. He received a standing ovation from the visitors gallery and his collegues, Democrats and Republicans alike.

          The final vote was a veto-proof majority of 69 in favor, with 30 opposed. Last month, an effort to clear a Republican procedural hurdle on the bill in the 100-member Senate came up one vote short of the needed 60.

          Sen. John McCain was the only member of the Senate not to vote. He was campaigning as his party's presumptive presidential nominee. He told reporters traveling with him he would have opposed the measure.

          And where was Senator Obama? Following right behind Senator Kennedy as he entered the room. No matter how you wanted the bill to go, you gotta hand it to these guys for putting it together with the shiny side up.

Nicely done gentlemen.

The Political Stray 

                      _______________________________________________

Okay. Here's the

House vote on the Medicare Fee Reduction Fix.

Now, remember, the Senate has to vote on it too.

Oh, don't get discouraged. Being a super voter is work, but at least you're doing something good today. Maybe you ought to treat yourself after all of this.

 We'll put up the Senate vote too, okay? Does that help? Good.

Anyway, back to bidness...

Does your congressperson support the same side you do?

You need to let them know if you're real unhappy or real happy about their position. If all is well with you, then don't bug em. Probably have lots to do. You hope so anyway, eh? (laughing)

Don't forget to keep track of it somewhere too. You'll need it when it's time to vote.

Now, although we do take sides sometimes and this time it's YES,  for a broader viewpoint:

Check Here and Here

Check all of your normal research places of course.

The whole shebang – wording – amendment – actions is Here

A good place for extra info would be the AARP

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 443

(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)

      H R 6331      2/3 YEA-AND-NAY      24-Jun-2008      12:36 PM
      QUESTION:  On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
      BILL TITLE: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act

---- YEAS    355 ---

---- NAYS    59 ---

---- NOT VOTING    20 ---

At the end of the record on the bill's activities, it is written that the bill passed into law by unanimous consent, yet there is no record of such a vote. How they came up with that is beyond me, but it certainly raised my eyebrows and blood pressure.

            Why are there scheduled pay cuts for the doctors taking care of our old folks? The time and research I've been doing have gradually revealed to me how American doctors have been sc***** on such a regular basis and so thoroughly, that it amazes me that we have any at all. It causes this American citizen's blood to boil.

            Call a doctor. Boiling blood has got to be bad for me.

            I cannot  recommend more strongly that you come back and check out what I have found on health care. It will take time to get it up. The rich and varied ways of pillaging the American public leave me without enough hours in the day. Even if you don't usually "get involved", the audacity will take your breath away.

            Boiling blood and taken-away breath. Maybe you and your doctor should read these pages together.

With stubborn insistence and thick blood,

The Political Stray

Update on Bill to Override President's Veto

of Bill to Stop Cuts to Medicare Fees

As you know, the President vetoed the bill to stop cuts to Medicare fees to America's Doctors. On July 15, 2008, the House voted to override that veto.

The Republican breakdown is as follows