Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of overriding the President’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.
It is very unfortunate that the President has sided with the interests of certain big insurance companies against the health care needs of seniors. There are a number of important provisions in this legislation that will benefit more than forty-four million Medicare beneficiaries by preserving patient access to physicians, enhancing preventive and mental health benefits in the Medicare program, extending expiring provisions for rural and other providers, and improving assistance for low-income seniors. Unlike the President, Congress has put aside party politics and is protecting and preserving the health care on which seniors depend.
Madam Speaker, this is an issue that affects all Americans. I strongly urge my House colleagues to override the President’s veto on this bipartisan legislation.