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"In spite of the President's objections, the Congress has acted in the public interest by overturning his veto," echoed Dr. Mohammad Akhter, the NMA's Executive Director.
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Officially titled Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, H.R. 6331 will avert Medicare's 10.6% negative update to physician reimbursements that went into effect last week. Also included in this important legislation are broader protections for low-income Medicare beneficiaries and expanded coverage for preventive services.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve Medicare patients for a little while longer, with a little less anxiety about whether or not we can meet payroll and keep the lights on," added Dr. Willarda Edwards, a Baltimore internist and Treasurer of the NMA. Dr. Edwards had earlier expressed a concern shared by many of the nation's physicians that many seniors would begin to lose access to their doctors if the 10 percent pay cut were not rescinded.
The National Medical Association is the largest membership organization for African American physicians, and was one of the original advocates for the creation of Medicare in 1965.
Founded in 1895, the National Medical Association is the nation's oldest and largest medical association representing the interests of more than 30,000 African-American physicians and their patients. The NMA has repeatedly advocated for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all people.
SOURCE National Medical Association
