The U.S. Senate passed an extension to unemployment benefits that also halted scheduled reductions in Medicaid payments to physicians. 

In a rare bipartisan vote, six Republicans and two Independents joined Democrats in voting for the measure, which also provides a variety of tax breaks, as well as extending health insurance subsidies for the unemployed.   In an earlier procedural vote, Republicans joined Democrats in defeating a filibuster to allow the measure to be considered.

An earlier filibuster in February prevented consideration of a House-passed measure that would have staved off reductions in Medicare payment rates.  That action drew criticism from both sides of the aisle.

While the bill carried a cost of $148 million, the net impact to the budget was reduced through elimination of several tax breaks.

The Senate action delays the Medicare reduction until September, but does not permanently eliminate it.  A bill passed by the House last November eliminated the budget provision that mandates the reductions, but the Senate has yet to consider the measure.