amednews: Medicare premium protection bill stalls in Senate

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By Chris Silva

A key lawmaker blasted Senate Republicans for blocking legislation designed to keep Medicare outpatient premiums from going up for seniors next year.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D, Mont.) had sought unanimous consent to pass the Medicare Premium Fairness Act, which would freeze Medicare Part B premiums at the current rate rather than allowing them to go up by as much as 20% under current law. The House on Sept. 24 passed the legislation by a vote of 406-18. It was introduced by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D, Calif.) and Rep. Dina Titus (D, Nev.).

According to Baucus' office, Sen. Tom Coburn, MD (R, Okla.), objected to the unanimous consent request, which would have approved the measure without debate or a recorded vote.
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