Senate Clears Path for Vote on Jobs Bill That Averts Medicare Cuts
On Tuesday, the Senate voted 66-34 to limit debate on a jobs bill (HR 4213), clearing the way for a final vote scheduled for Wednesday, CQ Today reports.
The legislation includes:
- An extension through Dec. 31 of subsidies to help laid-off workers purchase health coverage through COBRA;
- An aversion of a scheduled 21% cut to Medicare physician reimbursements; and
- Temporary aid to help states cover Medicaid costs.
The measure is expected to pass with bipartisan support. The bill would cost about $137.9 billion, without any added amendments (Vadala, CQ Today, 3/9).
House Ways and Means Committee Chair Sander Levin (D-Mich.) indicated that a conference between the House and Senate might be necessary to reconcile a disagreement over financing the legislation (Cohn, CongressDaily, 3/10).
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