A two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools Act for local school, road, and law enforcement funding in counties with national forestlands has been included in a bipartisan agreement to reform how doctors are paid under Medicare. Oregon Second District Congressman Greg Walden says the extension provides more time to work on long-term federal forest policy reforms. Walden credited fellow Oregon Representative Peter DeFazio for working with his leadership to support including the provision in the Medicare deal. House consideration of this bipartisan agreement is expected this week. If passed by the House this week, the bill would then go to the Senate for a vote.