U.S. Congress rushes to avert doctor pay cuts

By Susan Cornwell and Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House and Senate leaders said on Wednesday they were working to avert looming Medicare pay cuts for doctors, with a House vote on a temporary solution expected on Thursday and Senate action also possible in the coming days. Many lawmakers in both parties support the idea of finding a permanent solution to the Medicare payment system, fearing that otherwise doctors will be forced to turn away patients seeking access to care under the government-funded healthcare program for the elderly. Republican House Speaker John Boehner said on Wednesday he expected Congress to act swiftly after he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, agreed to a proposal to delay the cuts for another year. The House of Representatives will vote on Thursday, Boehner said, adding he expected the Senate would follow quickly.