House ignores automatic Medicare payment cuts for two more years
The House has adopted a resolution (H. Res. 5) not to apply the so-called Medicare "trigger" for two more years as part of changes to House rules. The resolution was approved 242-181 on Jan. 6. Under the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act, Congress is only required to consider legislation to reduce Medicare spending if trustees predict for two consecutive years that more than 45% of the program's funding will come from the general fund, as they did for the second time in April 2007. The House in July 2008 approved a resolution (H. Res. 1368) preventing it from having to act on legislation for the remainder of the year. "We are pleased the House has rejected automatic cuts to Medicare, ensuring seniors have access to vital care, especially during this economic downturn," said AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack.
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