Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) have reintroduced a bill to abolish the Independent Payment Advisory Board, according to a release by Sen. Hatch.
The advisory board, created by the healthcare reform law, is scheduled to begin reining in Medicare spending in 2015. Its recommendations would be implemented if the per capita growth rate for Medicare exceeded a set target. Congress could not override the recommendations unless it enacted alternate legislation that achieved the same spending target through a different mechanism and passed the alternative in a fast-track legislative process.
Seventy-five healthcare provider groups, including the AHA, sent a letter to Congress opposing the new board. Critics say elected officials should continue to have control over federal spending. But supporters say Congress has repeatedly failed to rein in Medicare spending because it is subject to too much lobbying.
Because providers are against the panel, Republicans see it as one of the most vulnerable parts of the reform law. "In true fashion of Obamacare, the IPAB is the definition of a government takeover," Sen. Cornyn said. "America’s seniors deserve the ability to hold elected officials accountable for the decisions that affect their Medicare."
Read the release by Sen. Hatch on the proposed bill abolishing IPAB.
Read more coverage of the Independent Payment Advisory Board:
- Two More Democrats Join GOP Against Independent Payment Advisory Board
- GOP Bill Would Repeal Medicare Rate-Setting Board
- 5 Healthcare Reform Provisions Targeted by Republicans
The advisory board, created by the healthcare reform law, is scheduled to begin reining in Medicare spending in 2015. Its recommendations would be implemented if the per capita growth rate for Medicare exceeded a set target. Congress could not override the recommendations unless it enacted alternate legislation that achieved the same spending target through a different mechanism and passed the alternative in a fast-track legislative process.
Seventy-five healthcare provider groups, including the AHA, sent a letter to Congress opposing the new board. Critics say elected officials should continue to have control over federal spending. But supporters say Congress has repeatedly failed to rein in Medicare spending because it is subject to too much lobbying.
Because providers are against the panel, Republicans see it as one of the most vulnerable parts of the reform law. "In true fashion of Obamacare, the IPAB is the definition of a government takeover," Sen. Cornyn said. "America’s seniors deserve the ability to hold elected officials accountable for the decisions that affect their Medicare."
Read the release by Sen. Hatch on the proposed bill abolishing IPAB.
Read more coverage of the Independent Payment Advisory Board:
- Two More Democrats Join GOP Against Independent Payment Advisory Board
- GOP Bill Would Repeal Medicare Rate-Setting Board
- 5 Healthcare Reform Provisions Targeted by Republicans