Will Medicare Package Be Added?
January 5, 2008
The legislation that could thwart middle-class U.S. citizens from paying the alternative minimum tax was moved to the House floor recently and did not contain any of the Medicare provisions that would hold up the scheduled 10% fee cut for physicians. Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus had said that, “Medicare probably has to go with AMT” as the measure is “very bipartisan”. However, the House made the conclusion to move along with the AMT measure derailing one of the best options for a Medicare package and increases the possibility that the Medicare physician fee cut will take effect Jan. 1, 2008. Read more
Funding Increased For Hospitals In Orange And Dutchess Counti
January 3, 2008
Seven hospitals across Dutchess and Orange counties are a few steps closer towards hiring more nurses and improving the quality of patient care, thanks to the approval of $12 million dollars from the Senate. U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced the Senate Medicare package qualifying the aforementioned hospitals for funding thanks to their status as New York Section 508 hospitals.
He fought for these hospitals to obtain this funding since the Section 508 program funding had expired last fall. The seven hospitals will now receive additional funding: Northern Dutchess Hospital receives $543,240, Bon Secours Community Hospital receives $1,271,500, Orange Regional Medical Center receives $525,090, St. Anthony Community Hospital receives $791,700, St. Francis Hospital receives $1,187,200, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital receives $3,905,600 and Vassar Brothers Medical Center receives $3,960,600. Read more
Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act passed
January 2, 2008
On December 18, 2007, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) Extension Act of 2007 (S.2499). Besides other points, the Act thwarts the 10.1 percent cut to Medicare physician payments beginning on January 1, 2008 and as an alternative, gives a 6-month 0.5 percent increase for physicians through June 30, 2008. With the Act, the physician payment changes would be offset by an adjustment to the Medicare Advantage stabilization fund. The Act has been sent to the U.S. House of Representatives. Read more
