With nudge by Kennedy, Medicare bill passes

Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy returned to the Capitol to help the Senate pass legislation that would rescind a 10.6% cut in payments to doctors who treat Medicare patients. The White House has threatened to veto the measure because of provisions that would reduce payments to private insurers who participate in Medicare Advantage. Some doctors have stopped taking new Medicare patients until the issue is resolved, saying the reductions would make treating the elderly impossible from a financial standpoint.