March 9, 2012 — The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means passed a bill repealing a controversial entity created under the 2010 healthcare reform law. H.R. 452, the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, aims to rescind the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).
IPBA was established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in response to criticism that Congress has been unable to make politically risky, and technically complex, decisions about slowing the growth of Medicare costs.
Under PPACA, if Medicare spending growth is projected to exceed certain targets, the IPAB would come up with plans to slow the increase. If Congress does not act on the recommendation within a set time, it will be automatically implemented.
In recent months, many senior Democrats have joined Republicans in opposing the IPAB and voiced their support for repeal. This support signals that Congress should make the ultimate decision in determining important aspects of health care policy and not an unregulated, appointed board.
The measure will now go to the full House for a vote before the end of this month. Follow healthcare reform at www.acatoday.org/hcr.
Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org
