The Heart Rhythm Society and other medical societies were called into a meeting by the Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday, June 20, 2008 to discuss the introduction of HR 6331, “The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.”

The bill, largely modeled after S. 3101 — the Medicare legislation introduced by introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) — would continue the .5% update to physician Medicare Payments for 2008 and provide a 1.1% update through 2009.

On Tuesday, June 24, the House of Representatives approved this bill by a vote of 355 to 59. Surprisingly, 115 Republicans crossed party lines and voted in favor of it. It is unclear why so many Republicans voted for the bill, despite President Bush's veto-threat because of the bill's modifications to Medicare Advantage Plans. Some speculate that House Republicans were expecting to vote later this week on a compromise package reportedly being crafted by Senator Baucus and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA), which would ultimately supersede any House proposal and not face Presidential veto threats. They may have considered the vote for HR 6331 symbolic to demonstrate their support for physicians and stopping the Medicare payment cuts.

In recent developments today, the Society learned during a meeting with Senate and House Democrats that Sen. Baucus ceased negotiations with Sen. Grassley on a compromise bill. Instead, Senate Democratic leadership is planning to bring HR 6331 up tomorrow (June 26) for a cloture vote, to test if they have enough votes to overcome a Republican filibuster threat. Leadership hopes that the large House Republican support will translate into broad Senate Republican support as well.

The Heart Rhythm Society will report further developments as they become available. Please continue contacting your legislators and let them know to stop the cut and provide a fully-financed 18-month update to Medicare physician payments.