Senate to consider six ‘doc fix’ amendments

The Senate is expected to consider six amendments on a $200 billion Medicare reform package that is slated for a vote Tuesday afternoon, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

{mosads}Under current plans, senators will consider three proposals from Democrats and three from Republicans to amend the House’s “doc fix” legislation.

Nearly all the amendments will require 60 votes to pass, including a measure by Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) that would repeal ObamaCare’s individual mandate. 

The only vote that will require a simple majority is a measure from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that would require Congress to offset the costs of the bill, which would stop steep payment cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients, completely.

The amendment would require the legislation to follow “pay as you go” budget rules that stipulate any spending increase must be paid for by a tax increase or spending cut elsewhere.

The idea has drawn support from several fiscal conservatives, including Sens. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), though Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Tuesday that the amendment would not be enough to win his support for the bill.

Senators will also consider an amendment from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) that would eliminate the 5 percent payment boosts to Medicare doctors under the current bill. Healthcare groups, such as the American Medical Association and American Academy of Family Physicians, are already warning the measures would harm doctors’ bottom lines.

Democrats also have proposed amendments to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program for four years instead of two. And they are proposing an women’s health package that includes extra funding for community health centers.

A third Democratic amendment, from Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), is the most likely to receive some bipartisan support. It would eliminate an annual cost cap on outpatient therapy for Medicare recipients.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he could not confirm the specific amendment arrangement because an agreement had not yet been reached.

“We’re working on it,” Don Stewart wrote in an email.