Bush To Veto Medicare Pay Bill

WASHINGTON — President Bush intends to block a bill protecting doctors from a cut in their Medicare pay, even though Congress seemingly has enough votes to override his veto, a White House spokesman indicated on yesterday.

To pay for rescinding the 10.6% rate cut, lawmakers would reduce spending on private health insurers serving about 9 million elderly and disabled patients through Medicare Advantage.

That reduced spending — about $13.5 billion over five years — would slow enrollment growth. The White House predicts that about 2 million fewer people would take part in the program. That would leave enrollment at about 12 million in five years, versus the 14.3 million now anticipated.

"Taking choices away from seniors in order to pay for the reimbursements for physicians is the wrong way to pass this bill and to extend the reimbursements that we want to see physicians get," a White House spokesman, Tony Fratto, said.