Despite objections from members of Idaho’s delegation, Congress on Tuesday rejected President Bush’s veto of legislation protecting doctors from a 10.6 percent cut in their reimbursement rates when treating Medicare patients.

The override vote in the House was 383-41, easily meeting the two-thirds threshold needed to nullify the president’s veto. Idaho Congressman Bill Sali voted to uphold the President’s veto, while fellow Idaho Republican Mike Simpson voted to override it. About an hour later, the Senate voted to override, 70-26. Idaho Sen. Larry Craig voted against overriding the president’s veto, as did Sen. Mike Crapo.

US Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) comments

Lawmakers were under pressure from doctors and the elderly patients they serve to void the rate cut, which kicked in on July 1. The cut is based on a formula that establishes lower reimbursement rates when Medicare spending levels exceed established targets.

The president said he supported rescinding the pay cut, but he objected to the way lawmakers would finance the plan, largely by reducing spending on private health plans serving the elderly and disabled. (AP)