WASHINGTON D.C. (WSAZ) -- Two Republican members of Congress from our region joined in the override vote of a veto by President Bush.

Tuesday, President Bush vetoed the bill that protected doctors from a 10.6% cut in their reimbursement rates for treating patients covered under Medicare. Mr. Bush supported protecting the doctors from the rate cut, but did not like the way lawmakers proposed paying for it -- by reducing spending on private health plans.

The House voted 383-41 to override the president's veto, with Republicans Shelley Moore Capito, W.Va., and Geoff Davis, Ky., joining Democrats in the majority. A two-thirds margin was needed to secure the override.

“With thousands of West Virginians dependent on Medicare, we must ensure that doctors can continue to serve Medicare patients,” said Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito in an emailed statement to media. “Without this bill, Medicare payments would have been cut by nearly 11%, adding an enormous financial burden on Mountain State doctors and those who rely on their services. Not only does this bill prevent cuts, but it improves payments for rural providers who are particularly important for our state.

Ohio Congressman Charlie Wilson, a Democrat, issued this statement following his vote with the majority.

“This is a victory for seniors and those with disabilities. By passing this legislation, Congress is preventing a 10.6% pay-cut to doctors who provide Medicare. This is especially important for Americans living in rural areas who have fewer choices when it comes to medical providers. If their doctors stopped taking Medicare, they could literally be left without a provider in the community. Today’s action makes sure that some of our most vulnerable citizens will continue to have affordable, reliable health care and be able to continue getting the care they need from the doctors they already know and trust. I’m proud that we were able to override the President’s veto and strengthen Medicare for America’s seniors.”

An hour after the vote in the House, the Senate voted 70-26 to override the President's veto. Both Senators in Ohio and both in West Virginia voted in the affirmative, with Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning from Kentucky voting nay. McConnell and Bunning are both Republicans.

United States Senator Jay Rockefeller issued the following statement prior to his vote to override the president.

“It’s absolutely disappointing to me that the President chose to put the interest of private insurers ahead of helping rural seniors or those who so bravely serve our country,” said United States Senator Jay Rockefeller. “At a time of increasing economic uncertainty it should be a unanimous and bipartisan goal to bring peace of mind to seniors and military families who are struggling to make ends meet – especially when it comes to health care. Congress will do what’s right by those enrolled in Medicare and TRICARE, even if the President won’t.”

Rockefeller's statement claims that 35,000 military retirees, active duty soldiers and their families would have been affected by the President's veto.