On Thursday night, the United States Senate considered approving House Bill H.R. 6331, the "Doc Fix" Bill. The Senators could not agree to suspend the rules to consider the bill because of reported certainty that the excessive last minute add-ons to the House Bill would force President Bush to veto the legislation. Although this means the delay of the Competitive Bidding Program was not approved on Thursday night, it does not mean we have lost.

Understand that this is a process. It is still very likely that the Competitive Bidding Program will be overcome. Unfortunately our issue has been tied to the "Doc Fix" Bill, which has become a Political Football, used by both parties to make the other look bad. This is typical, especially in an election cycle, but like all things, this too shall pass.

Do not lose heart or enthusiasm. Both the House and the Senate are motivated to approve the "Doc Fix" and they are sympathetic to DME providers. We will have success, either prior to July 1st of after, but we will have success. Continue to call the Senators and ask them to vote to delay Competitive Bidding Program. Communicate to your patients that there is legislation to delay the program and pay attention to your emails for direction.

We are in this together and through unity we have strength.

Keep calling and relay your dissappointment to your Senators for not passing HR 6331. Urge them to support the competitive bidding delay and to oppose the additional cuts to oxygen and to PMDs.

U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121