Yesterday, the President vetoed H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, the bill that would avert the 10.6% cut to Medicare physician payments the Medicare legislation that would avert the 10.6 percent cut. The House and Senate both voted to override the veto yesterday evening.

The law will provide a 0.5% increase for the remainder of 2008 (retroactive to July 1) and a 1.1% increase for 2009. ASCO will update you on the plans for implementation once the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) releases information.

If you have any questions or would like more information contact ASCO’s Cancer Policy & Clinical Affairs Department at 571-483-1670 or publicpolicy@asco.org.