House passes veto-proof Medicare bill

WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday passed a Medicare bill with a veto-proof majority, with 129 Republicans joining all the Democrats in the vote.

The measure passed 355-59, which includes "yes" votes from several members of the GOP leadership, The Hill reported.

The bill would delay a 10.6 percent reduction in Medicare payments to physicians, scheduled to take effect July 1 unless legislation is enacted. The bill also would hold payments at their existing level for the remainder of the year and set a 1.1 percent pay hike in 2009.

The bill includes a bipartisan measure that would delay implementing a Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, also scheduled to begin July 1.

The House Democratic leadership placed the matter on the suspension calendar, where it needed a two-thirds majority to pass, the Washington political publication reported. The margin also means that the House could override a presidential veto the White House has threatened.