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(Washington D.C.)- The House of Representatives today unanimously approved, H.R. 4851 the Continuing Extension Act of 2010. The legislation extends critical unemployment and health care benefits, ensures that Medicare beneficiaries can continue seeing their doctors and extends other programs set to expire at the end of March.
Click here for bill text and summary of H.R. 4851.
“The immediate assistance provided by extending these unemployment and health benefits offers much-needed security for millions of Americans as they search for their next job opportunity,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI). “The bill also assures Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries that they can continue visiting their doctors, by preventing a drastic cut in Medicare payment rates.”
Summary of the Continuing Extension Act of 2010
• Extension of Unemployment Insurance Programs - Extends Federal Unemployment Programs, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, through May 05, 2010.
• Extension of COBRA Assistance - Extends eligibility for 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums through April, 30 2010.
• Extension of Medicare Physician Update - Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians (preventing a 21% payment reduction) through April 30, 2010.
• Extension of Medicare Therapy Caps Exceptions - Extends exceptions process for beneficiary payment limits on outpatient therapy services through April 30, 2010.
• Clarification of Health Information Technology (IT) Incentives – Ensures certain doctors in outpatient facilities are eligible for health IT payments under Medicare and Medicaid.
• Extension of Poverty Guidelines - Extends current provision maintaining 2009 poverty guidelines through April, 30 2010 (to prevent a lowering of the poverty line).
• Extension of National Flood Insurance Program - Extends provision through April 30, 2010.
• Satellite Television Extension - Extends the copyright license used by satellite television providers through April 30, 2010.
• Compensation for Furloughed Employees – Provides compensation for federal employees furloughed during March 1st and 2nd as the result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund.
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