The American Medical Association reiterated its support Monday for Republican-led efforts to repeal the controversial cost-cutting board created by President Obama’s healthcare law.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s health panel is scheduled to vote this week to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The panel of healthcare experts would be tasked with cutting Medicare payments to doctors if spending rises faster than a certain rate.
The AMA — the largest lobbying group representing doctors — said the IPAB is the wrong way to control healthcare costs. Congress, rather than an unelected panel, should be responsible for Medicare payments, the AMA said in a letter to Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), who chairs the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee.
The AMA likened the IPAB to Medicare’s existing payment formula. The formula calls for automatic cuts in doctors’ payments, but Congress consistently blocks those cuts from taking effect. The IPAB could turn into a similar boondoggle, the AMA warned.
“Adding additional formulaic cuts through IPAB is just not rational and would be detrimental to patient care, especially as millions of baby boomers enter Medicare,” the AMA’s letter states.
At least 16 Democrats have cosponsored the IPAB repeal bill, sponsored by Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.).
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(Link last retrieved February 29, 2012)
