July 17, 2008

A Medicare Package that contained several important provisions for pulmonary patients finally passed through Congress in mid-July after overcoming several hurdles.

On July 15, President Bush vetoed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. Then within hours Congress overturned that veto by a vote of 383-41 in the House and 70-14 in the Senate.

Passage of the bill ensures the following for pulmonary patients:

-- an 18-month delay in competitive bidding. This affects those of you living in one of ten cities pegged for the competitive bid program that began July 1.

-- repeal of a law that requires beneficiaries to own their oxygen equipment after 36 months of continuous rental. That provision is now void and you will continue to rent as before.

-- creation of a clear Medicare pulmonary rehabilitation benefit, that clarifies inconsistencies that existed in reimbursement for pulmonary rehab from state to state.