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Kansas City, MO – Congress passed a veto-proof bill this week aimed at halting cuts in Medicare payments to doctors. They also included a provision that rolls back and puts a year and a half delay on a pilot program for purchasing Durable Medical Equipment. The program began July 1st in 10 areas, including Kansas City. It required beneficiaries to purchase certain medical equipment, like walkers, wheel chairs, and oxygen machines from suppliers that had won competitive bids for Medicare contracts. Beneficiaries who switched suppliers can now go back to their previous ones, or stay with their new ones.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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