Max Baucus: “Let me close by adding that the Finance Committee, and not the Appropriations Committee or any other Committee, should…”

“Let me close by adding that the Finance Committee, and not the Appropriations Committee or any other Committee, should be making these policy decisions. The Finance Committee has worked to safeguard and improve the programs under its jurisdiction. Any requests for additional changes to these programs, including further increases in provider payments or changes in payment for individual hospitals or counties, need to be examined with great care. Our committee intends to address Medicare payment policy issues this year. Given that there is an opportunity to consider legislation to change Medicare provider payment policies in the coming months, we do not believe there is any reason to take action on any legislation that is not of a time-sensitive nature at this time. Therefore, we will object to the consideration by the Senate until the material in question is removed. As I have said in the past, I look forward to working together in a bipartisan fashion on all of the other Medicare, Medicaid, and health issues that the Congress will be working on this summer and fall.”