Competitive Bidding Delay Fails to Pass in Senate

June 27, 2008

Late last night, the Senate considered approving H.R. 6331 — the bill to delay competitive bidding that was approved by a majority vote earlier this week. The senators were not able to agree to suspend the rules to consider the bill because of reported certainty that the excessive last-minute add-ons to the bill would force President Bush to veto the legislation, according to industry sources.

The cloture vote failed on a 58 to 40 vote, with just one more vote needed to bring the bill for a full Senate vote.

Unfortunately, the setback means that the first round of competitive bidding will go forth on schedule July 1. After today, both the Senate and House are adjourned until July 7.

Organizations like AAHomecare are still working toward a competitive bidding delay that would come after the program starts. Providers are encouraged to continue contacting members of the Senate. NAIMES reported that the following senators voted no and should be contacted by providers to express disappointment.

Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McConnell (R-KY)
Reid (D-NV)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Specter (R-PA)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Warner (R-VA)
Wicker (R-MS)