The Medicare Improvements for Patients & Providers Act of 2008 is a piece of United States legislation that extended Medicare programs that were soon to expire. In doing so, the Act primarily amended the Social Security Act.
Function
The Act extended several Medicare programs that were soon to expire and provides these projects with additional funds. These included the Medical Home Demonstration Project, funding for ground ambulance services and the qualifying individual program.
Regulatory Powers
The Act also extends the regulatory powers of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The most important of these provisions is a study on the restriction of certain essential drugs that lead to high risk factors.
History
The Act was originally proposed by Representative Charles Rangel of New York on Jun. 20, 2008. It was vetoed by President George W. Bush on July 15, 2009, but the veto was overridden by the Senate, and the Act became law.
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