Legislation proposed to repeal Medicare payment advisory board

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has introduced a bill that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a body created by the health care reform law whose charge is to reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending.

The IPAB, Cornyn says, would empower 15 bureaucrats to make substantial changes to Medicare without full transparency and accountability to America’s seniors and their elected officials. Known as the Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act, the bill is supported by the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, an organization of national medical societies, including the AUA.

"In true fashion of Obama-Reid-Pelosi hubris, the IPAB is the definition of a government takeover," Cornyn said. "America’s seniors deserve the ability to hold elected officials accountable for the decisions that affect their Medicare, but IPAB would take that away from seniors and put power in the hands of politically appointed Washington bureaucrats."

The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Tom Coburn (R-OK).

"We are thankful that these senators are making patients a priority and working to repeal the IPAB," said Alex B. Valadka, MD, a neurosurgeon and spokesperson for the Alliance of Specialty Medicine. "I’m hopeful that more will join the cause."