While tension mounts for Congress to resolve budget negotiations before the year-end "fiscal cliff" deadline, some House Democrats are willing to concede the health reform law's Independent Payment Advisory Board, according to a report from The Hill.
The 15-member IPAB is a cost-cutting measure included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would cut Medicare's reimbursement rates for certain services when payments rose too high. Since early deliberations, GOP representatives and some Democrats have opposed the board, arguing it would inevitably lead to rationing of Medicare-funded services.
Those looking to speed bipartisan approval for a fiscal cliff agreement said sacrificing this contentious part of the law to Republicans may protect Democrats' hold on entitlement benefits,, according to the report.
However, striking the IPAB from the law requires nixing an estimated $3.1 billion in savings over 10 years, which would have to be made up through other cuts or revenues, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Speaker John Boehner Pushes for Full Repeal of Affordable Care Ac
Rep. Eric Cantor Leads GOP's Second Effort to Repeal IPAB
The 15-member IPAB is a cost-cutting measure included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would cut Medicare's reimbursement rates for certain services when payments rose too high. Since early deliberations, GOP representatives and some Democrats have opposed the board, arguing it would inevitably lead to rationing of Medicare-funded services.
Those looking to speed bipartisan approval for a fiscal cliff agreement said sacrificing this contentious part of the law to Republicans may protect Democrats' hold on entitlement benefits,, according to the report.
However, striking the IPAB from the law requires nixing an estimated $3.1 billion in savings over 10 years, which would have to be made up through other cuts or revenues, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
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