By Joyce Kryszak
Kenmore, NY – United States Senator Charles Schumer said Monday that a pending new Medicare law could hurt seniors recovering from surgery and close rehabilitation units.
Schumer spoke out against the so-called "seventy-five percent rule" at Kenmore Mercy hospital on Monday. Under the proposed cut, seniors would qualify for rehabilitation for only 13 pre-determined medical conditions. It would largely eliminate rehabilitation for seniors following such procedures as hip and knee replacements.
Although scheduled to take effect in July 2008, Schumer said the pending law was written years ago and does not recognize medical advances.
He said rehabilitation following joint replacements is crucial to full recovery. And he said the business is crucial to hospitals that provide the treatment.
Joe McDonald is president of the Catholic Health System that runs Kenmore Mercy. He said they stand to lose a million dollars under the proposed change.
Schumer said a bill is being presented in Congress next month that would hold rehabilitation coverage at current levels. He said there is wide, bi-partisan support.
But he said it is only part of the larger health care funding crisis, which includes threats to health coverage for children. And the Senator said the United Auto Workers strike against General Motors is just one more symptom.
Schumer said the war in Iraq is sapping $750 billion that could be used for national health care.
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