The Senate failed (58-40) to avert cuts for payments to physicians caring for Medicare recipients, raising the prospect that doctors will drop out of the system. On Tuesday payments amounting to a reduction of 10.6 percent go into effect. Even if the bill (S. 3101) passed, as did one in the House, President Bush threatened a veto because it included reducing payments to private insurance companies participating in Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Advantage profitable
The Senate's vote came on the heels of a GAO report indicating Medicare Advantage netted $1.14 billion more than expected in 2005 as a result of spending less on patient care.
I don't understand why our American government spends so little on mental health. I'm the mother of a schizophrenic son (18 years of treatment by a city, state funded MI organization). . . .there is no excuse for what is happening in our city, Wichita Falls, Tx for the prevention and treatment of mental illness. Their excuse is "lack of funding". I'm a tax payer...where are our representatives for the mentally ill? Why doesn't our citizens and government put more emphasis on this need. These people are the most helpless in our society.
Posted by Lana | July 8, 2008 7:52 AMMental illness is not being lazy and trying to escape responsibility. I can't say that for all of us, but know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my son is PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED BY THE MENTAL ILLNESS. THIS IS A BRAIN DISEASE, NOT AN EXCUSE. Speak up America!