Frank Pallone

Most notably Representative Eshoo--have some concerns that the current programs do not adequately address the needs of the pediatric population and would like to see some enhancements that would assist in the Nation's ability to care for…

The intent of the Enhancing Disease Coordination Activities Act... is not to duplicate that authority but rather to outline the structure and functions of committees' focus on coordinating a specific disease or health condition.

But it is hard. It is hard from a political point of view because people, you know, they don't want to prepare for contingencies that may never occur.

Unfortunately, at first the program had limited success.

Over the past 10 years, this Congress--rightfully so--has placed a high priority on biodefense.

I am encouraged that this hearing marks two bipartisan hearings in a row for this subcommittee and I support all three bills under consideration.

I do think that certainly when I hear from the doctors, you know, they see the SGR and, again, the cliff we faced in January as the biggest threat to Medicare, more so than IPAB.

They would simply slash existing programs. They would end Medicare as we know it, and they would slash medical research.

IPAB has the potential to cause serious harm to Medicare beneficiaries

I believe very strongly--I am opposed to IPAB, but one of the reasons I also was opposed to it was because I thought that in the Affordable Care Act that we did a very good job about keeping costs down...

There is no way we are ever going to overturn a BRAC decision.

I think we have been very effective. I don't see any need to change MedPAC.

But a lot of my concern is that it is very much like the BRAC, which I think is a disaster.

I think it is a usurpation of, you know, congressional authority and, you know, I have never been in favor.

The Republican cuts to Medicare in the future far outstrip anything proposed in the Affordable Care Act

The Republican plan for Medicare is so destructive it would actually end Medicare's guaranteed hospital benefit.

The Republican budget proposes to cut Medicare by $32 billion.

The Republican budget ends the Medicare program.

Unfortunately, the debate of IPAB reminds me of the Base Realignment and Closure or BRAC process.

IPAB, like other independent commissions, encroaches upon our legislative authority.

We should absolutely not, under any circumstances, seed legislative power to the executive branch.

I am very strongly opposed to the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, created under the Affordable Care Act.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for holding this very important hearing.

I mean, when I talk to physicians--and I know there were some recent reports by your agency for pediatrics--they usually complain that the subspecialists are what we need more; in other words, that we need more people going to certain…

Today we are still experiencing a shortage of pediatric and specialty physicians in New Jersey and across the country.