Huge majorities of both parties in
Congress have finally banded together and approved legislation permanently
reshaping how Medicare reimburses doctors for treating over 50 million elderly
people.
Final approval came late Tuesday when the Senate voted 92-8 to
send the bill to the White House. President Barack Obama says he is ready to
sign the measure because it will protect health coverage for vast numbers of
Americans.
Conservatives were unhappy that the legislation is expected to
swell federal deficits over the coming decade. Liberals complained that it
shortchanged health programs for children and women.
But the measure had too much to offer for both parties and
passed easily.
