Senate Democrats attack Republicans on Medicare

Democrats assailed Republican senators for voting against a major Medicare bill and said the Republicans should be held responsible for a 10% cut in payments to doctors that takes effect July 1. Doctors, pharmacists and advocates for Medicare beneficiaries said they would step up pressure on members of Congress when they return home for the Fourth of July recess. On June 26, Republican senators blocked efforts by Democrats to take up the bill, which would have stopped the impending cut in payments to doctors.