WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate passed a bill Friday that would postpone a 21 percent cut in Medicare reimbursements to doctors.
The voice vote came after an agreement late Thursday to remove the reimbursement measure from a larger bill extending both unemployment benefits and tax cuts set to expire next year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Finance Committee, called the vote on Medicare a "good omen" for passage of the larger bill, The Hill said. The Medicare cuts will be delayed for six months if the House passes a similar measure.
"Weeks ago, the House passed legislation to ensure that doctors don't drop Medicare patients. Now that the Senate has acted today on a six-month extension, we will review their legislation as we remain committed to ensuring that our seniors and veterans receive the care they deserve," said Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
