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Senate Approves Medicare Package Including Pulmonary Rehab Coverage as Ailing Massachusetts Sen. Kennedy Returns for Vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, battling a brain tumor, walked through a wall of applause and into the Senate on Wednesday and cast a dramatic, decisive vote on long-stalled Medicare legislation.
“Aye,” the 76-year-old Kennedy said in a loud voice, smiling broadly and making a thumbs-up gesture as he registered his vote.
Spectators in the galleries that overhang the chamber burst into cheers – a violation of decorum that drew no complaints.
Kennedy made his way into the Senate on his own power, appearing little the worse for his illness. A patch of scalp was clearly visible through his familiar white hair, although it was not clear whether that was a result of surgery he underwent or the effects of chemotherapy or radiation that are part of his treatment.
The Medicare package includes a provision making pulmonary rehabilitation a permanent Medicare benefit.
The Senate bill is very similar to one that passed by an overwhelming margin in the House of Representatives. The House bill, HR 6331, included three other provisions of major importance to the patient community:
- Repeal of the title transfer of oxygen equipment to patients after 36 months of Medicare payments for equipment
- A delay in the implementation of the competitive bidding Process for oxygen providers.
*Voiding a 10.6 percent cut in payments to doctors treating Medicare patients.
