June 26, 2008

Washington, DC—Nevada Senator Harry Reid made the following statement today after Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would prevent the impending 10.6 percent cut in payments to physicians who care for the 44 million American seniors in Medicare, and to make other key improvements to the program:

“Our seniors and the health-care providers who care for them have only Senate Republicans to blame when Medicare payments are cut and other key protections expire. The House overwhelmingly passed a good bill in bipartisan fashion that ensures Medicare works better for every American senior and saves taxpayers billions of dollars – but Senate Republicans insist on standing with President Bush to protect insurance companies at the expense of patients and providers. This is nothing short of putting politics above the seniors and people with disabilities who depend on Medicare.”

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