The New Braunfels based company, The Scooter Store, is cutting 200 jobs due to the recent cuts in Medicare funding. The reimbursement for wheelchairs and electric mobility devices were cut requiring the layoffs, but in addition, Medicare recipients will have a significantly harder time acquiring Durable Medical Equipment under the new plan. [AAS]

It's not just the Scooter Store that is hurting at Medicare Cuts. An estimated 45% of physicians will stop taking Medicare once the cuts are enacted. If Congress fails to act, Medicare will cut physician payments by about 5 percent on Jan. 1, 2007, with cuts totaling nearly 40 percent through 2015.

Some doctors are already telling patients that if the cuts are enacted they will no longer be able to see them. There are caps on therapies, visit pay, hospital DRG codes and other reimbursements.