Pelosi Statement on Medicare Bill Becoming Law

Contact:Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement this evening after the Senate voted 70 to 26 to override the President's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. Earlier today, the House voted 383 to 41 to override the veto. The legislation now becomes law; this is the third time this year that Congress has overridden a veto by President Bush.

"Congress voted overwhelmingly to support America's seniors, veterans and their families and persons with disabilities. By overriding the President's ill-advised veto, Congress is standing with seniors who spoke clearly for quality affordable and reliable health care under Medicare and against bloated and unnecessary subsidies for insurance companies.

"By eliminating the pending 10 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors, we are helping to ensure that America's talented doctors and providers can continue to provide quality, affordable health care to America's seniors. And by providing additional help to low-income seniors and offering new preventive benefits under Medicare, this legislation will ensure that our seniors can remain healthy and productive well into their golden years.

"Because of today's overwhelming bipartisan votes in the House and Senate, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act is now the law of the land and America's seniors can celebrate this enormous victory."