CQ’s Carey Discusses Medicare Bill Veto Override, Approval of PEPFAR Legislation, Student Medical Leave Measure

Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ HealthBeat, discusses Congress' override of President Bush's veto of legislation that delays a Medicare physician payment cut, Senate approval of legislation that would reauthorize the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and a House committee's approval of a bill that would preserve health coverage for college students on medical leave in this week's "Health on the Hill from kaisernetwork.org and CQ."

According to Carey, the new Medicare law blocks a 10.6% cut in Medicare physician payments for 18 months and gives physicians a 1.1% pay increase in 2009. The law requires some private fee-for-service plans to join provider networks and eliminates payments to private insurers in the Medicare Advantage program for indirect medical education. The law also postpones for 18 months a Medicare competitive bidding program for certain types of durable medical equipment. A legislative solution to prevent future cuts could be included in a larger health care bill next year, Carey says, adding that in 2010, physicians will face a 20% payment cut and finding a solution likely will be more costly in 18 months.

Carey also discusses the Senate's approval of PEPFAR legislation, which would authorize $50 billion for the global program, as well as increase oversight and promote cost-sharing and transition strategies among recipient countries. The measure would provide $2 billion for American Indian health care and increase oversight of the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The House is expected to approve the Senate version of the bill this week, and Bush is expected to sign the legislation, according to Carey.

In addition, Carey discusses approval of legislation by the House Energy and Commerce Committee that would allow college students to remain on their family's health plan if they take a medical leave of absence from school. The measure was amended to clarify that insurers must provide coverage to students who change their status to part time because of an injury or illness. Insurers would be required to provide medical leave coverage for one year under the bill.

Separately, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs approved several bills related to veterans' health care, including one that would allow veterans who live far from VA health facilities to receive treatment from outside providers, Carey says. Carey also discusses legislation that would provide an additional $5.2 billion in emergency fiscal year 2008 funding for NIH.

The complete audio version of "Health on the Hill," transcript and resources for further research are available "_new">online at kaisernetwork.org.