U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, on Tuesday voted to override

President Bush's veto of legislation that would delay a 10 percent fee cut in Medicare payments to doctors.Lawmakers were under pressure from doctors and the elderly patients they serve to stave off the reimbursement 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.The House of Representatives by a 383-41 vote routed the president's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.Additional provisions of the bill, Altmire said, include reduction of the beneficiary's co-payment for mental health services and increased assistance to low-income people on Medicare.Additionally, the bill would delay a competitive bidding program for suppliers of medical equipment like oxygen tanks and power wheelchairs.———U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, in response to the president's announcement to lift the 18-year-old executive ban on drilling for oil and natural gas on the Outer Continental Shelf on Monday released the following statement:"Eighteen years ago, American consumers were paying $1.20 for a gallon of gasoline. Today, consumers are getting pounded at the pump, paying more than three times that amount, just to run their daily errands, go to work or pick up the kids from school."If we are serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil and ensuring Americans have access to an affordable, abundant supply of energy right here at home, then we have got to start advancing an agenda that will achieve our goals."Drilling is an essential initiative that will increase supply, encourage competition and ultimately bring down prices at the pump."Although the president's announcement is long overdue, the leadership in the Congress should act now to bring this issue to both chambers and allow an open vote. This is a significant step to addressing the energy crisis we are experiencing today."English, a senior member on the House Ways and Means Committee, noted that according to the Minerals Management Service, lifting the ban on drilling on the OCS could free up 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.