On the recordMarch 22, 2012
I support H.R. 5, the legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB. As we've heard, this unelected board of 15 was created under the administration's health overhaul to take critical decisions on Medicare spending and hide them under a bureaucratic veil. As a result, it has the power to step between seniors and their doctors with no accountability. Even Medicare's Chief Actuary indicated that the payment reductions required of IPAB are unrealistic and could drive doctors out of Medicare and limit seniors' access to care. That's hardly an answer to rising costs. Today's legislation repeals IPAB and reduces costs through bipartisan medical liability reform. This commonsense reform curbs junk lawsuits and stops forcing doctors to practice costly, defensive medicine. This important bill eliminates IPAB and protects health care for America's seniors. I'm really glad that it has passed this House, and I hope that the Senate will take it up. ____________________
