A few days ago, I reported on U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof’s vote overriding President Bush’s veto of a bill that would have reduced Medicare reimbursements to doctors. Hulshof had voted against the bill a couple of weeks earlier and defended his change by saying that the first no vote was cast because the bill was being rushed through.

In response, his opponent in the Republican primary, Sarah Steelman, suggested that Hulshof changed his vote because of pressure from medical doctors at a fund-raiser in Kansas City a couple of days before the override vote.

The doctor who hosted the event says that allegation is false. He’s written me, and with permission, here’s his response:

“I was forwarded your 7/17/2008 article regarding Congressman Hulshof’s vote of
the Medicare Reimbursement Bill.

There was a fundraiser at my home for Congress Hulshof in July. There were only
two physicians in attendance and to my knowledge, there was no public or private
discussions regarding the Medicare Reimbursement Bill. To suggest otherwise is
inaccurate.

Steve Reintjes MD“

Hulshof and Steelman will be debating on KMOX radio in St. Louis this afternoon at 2 p.m. on the Mark Reardon Show. They will debate again tomorrow night at 8 p.m. on KY3 TV in Springfield. Check back here for updates and reports on the debates.