Garrett on the Veto Override

Here's Representative Scott Garrett's statement on overriding the President's veto yesterday:

I have consistently supported legislation to prevent cuts to the physician payment schedule, popularly known as the "doc fix." But the legislation that Congress considered this year to temporarily preventthese physician payment cuts, also contained permanent, significant changes to a popular Medicare program. I remain concerned that these changes will adversely affect senior citizens, both in New Jersey and across the country.

For this reason, I voted against the passage ofH.R. 6331. At the time of H.R. 6331's consideration, it was widely reported in the House that a Senate compromise had been reached that did not include the changes to Medicare Advantage. This would have provided a favorable option, yet no such compromise was reached.

H.R. 6331 was passed by veto-proof majorities, and it is clear that this legislationis the only opportunity Congress will have to address the physician payment cut. While I remained concerned about the provisions related toMedicare Advantage in this bill, allowing the 10% physician payment cutto take effect would be disastrous. Because of the consequences ofinaction, I will vote to override the President's veto.