Health Highlights: July 15, 2008

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Bush Vetoes Bill to Reverse Medicare Cuts to Doctors

President Bush has vetoed legislation that would have restored a 10.6 percent cut in payments made to doctors for treating Medicare patients, the Associated Press reported Tuesday afternoon.

While the White House said it supported restoration of the cut, Bush said he vetoed the legislation because it made up the resulting shortfall by reducing reimbursements to private insurers who participate in a program called Medicare Advantage.

The original cut to doctors, which took effect July 1, had been required by law because Medicare spending exceeded budgetary limits. The Bush Administration has ordered a one-month freeze on processing Medicare payments in hopes that a compromise could be reached.

In restoring the cut to doctors, the legislation would have frozen rates to the private insurers in 2008 and increased them by 1.1 percent next year, the AP said.

"I support the primary objective of this legislation, to forestall reductions in physician payments," the wire service quoted Bush as saying in a statement. "Yet taking choices away from seniors to pay physicians is wrong."

News reports say House and Senate supporters of the vetoed legislation believe they have enough votes to override Bush''s action, which had been expected.

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Recalled ''Lean Pockets'' Sandwiches May Contain Plastic Pieces

Nestle is recalling 199,417 pounds of "Lean Pockets" frozen stuffed chicken sandwiches that may contain pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The recall involves 9-ounce boxes of "Lean Pockets Spinach Artichoke Chicken - 2 sandwiches." Affected packages have a "best before" date of "Nov 2009," followed by a package code starting with "8144 544616." The establishment number "P7721A" is printed on the side of the package. The sandwiches were produced May 23 and distributed to retailers nationwide.