Following President Bush’s veto of the Medicare improvement bill (H.R. 6331), both houses of Congress today voted to override the veto. The House approved the override by a vote of 383 to 41, while the Senate voted 70 to 26.

The legislation would benefit residents and clients by extending the Medicare therapy caps exceptions process for 18 months as well as placing a moratorium on a 10.6 percent cut to Medicare’s physician payment rates.

"Thanks to Congress’ decision today, millions of Medicare beneficiaries will continue to receive the physical and occupational therapy they need without fear their care will be rationed or capped," said Larry Minnix, AAHSA’s president and CEO.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact: Marsha Greenfield, (202) 508-9488, or Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.

Thank you for all that you have done to see that your residents and clients have coverage for the therapy services they need.