Competitive Bidding has now effectively been delayed 18 months with a veto proof margin of 69-30.

This particular battle does not mean the end of Competitive Bidding but it proves what hard work and determination can accomplish. I want to thank the entire AMEPA membership for putting their faith in the board and for all of their tireless efforts and sacrifices. Our industry leaders at AAHomecare and VGM should also be congratulated for coordinating a massive effort and for all of the other state and national organizations that followed their lead.

After impassioned speeches from Senators Baucus (D-MT), Hatch (R-UT), Cornyn (R-TX), Coburn (R-OK), Schumer (D-NY), Martinez (R-FL), Grassley (R-IA), Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY), and Majority Leader Reid(D-NV), the Senate voted for Cloture and passed 69-30. In quorum call, no one objected and the bill officially passed.

Senator McCain did not vote today. However, the Senate erupted in a long applause when Senator Ted Kennedy appeared during the cloture vote. It was his first appearance on the Senate floor since the announcement of a brain tumor. He did not vote an hour earlier on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill. The last time he voted was on May 15, 2008 (Senate Roll # 135)

Republican Senators facing tremendous pressure from the healthcare industry including Mel Martinez (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) spoke against the bill and the need to give a better bill to physicians. Later Cornyn and fellow Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) voted for the bill.