Medicare Conferees Return
to Work
September 5, 2003 - House and Senate Republican Medicare
conferees met Sept. 4 to discuss their negotiation schedule
as well as update conferees on conference discussions held
by staff over the August recess. A post-Labor Day meeting
of the full conference committee has yet to be scheduled,
but will likely be held the week of Sept. 8. A deadline for
completion of negotiations also remains open.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Sept. 3 reportedly said that he hopes the conference will
be completed by Columbus Day and urged the President to set
a deadline for negotiations. However, White House Press Secretary
Scott McClellan wouldn't indicate whether the President would
establish a deadline. In a Sept. 3 press briefing, Mr. McClellan
stated, "I think the President believes that Congress
should act as quickly as possible, because seniors have waited
long enough for the prescription drug coverage they deserve.
And what we're going to do is continue working closely with
members of Congress, and Senator Grassley is one of the leaders
on this issue and we've been working closely with him and
we will continue to do so. But the President is very involved
in this effort because this is one of his highest priorities
and it's one of the most important priorities for our nation's
seniors. And it's time for Congress to act and move as quickly
as possible."
Meanwhile, Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) Sept. 2 sent a reminder
notice to his House Republican colleagues regarding his "Dear
Colleague" letter on Medicare Indirect Medical Education
payments. The notice announces a Sept. 12 deadline for Republican
signatures. The letter has the following 36 Republican signatures:
John Sweeney (N.Y.), Ray LaHood (Ill.), Peter King (N.Y.),
Jim Leach (Iowa), Jack Quinn (N.Y.), Fred Upton (Mich.), Thaddeus
McCotter (Mich.), Phil English (Pa.), Tim Johnson (Ill.),
James Greenwood (Pa.), Christopher Smith (Conn.), Todd Platts
(Pa.), Jim Walsh (N.Y.), Steve LaTourette (Ohio), Mike Rogers
(Mich.), Tim Murphy (Pa.), Vito Fossella (N.Y.), Melissa Hart
(Pa.), William Jenkins (Tenn.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Jo Ann
Emerson (Mo.), William Janklow (S.D.), Charlie Norwood (Ga.),
Charles Bass (N.H.), John Duncan (Tenn.), John McHugh (N.Y.),
Zach Wamp (Tenn.), Curt Weldon (Pa.), Sherwood Boehlert (N.Y.),
Walter Jones (N.C.), Don Sherwood (Pa.), Don Manzullo (Ill.),
Shelly Moore Capito (W.Va.), John Shimkus (Ill.), George Nethercutt
(Wash.), and Doug Ose (Calif.).
Information:
Lynne Davis Boyle, Assistant Vice President
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
ldavisboyle@aamc.org
(202) 828-0526
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