Congressman Latham Continues to Oppose IPAB

I want to praise Congressman Latham for his continued opposition to the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a dangerous provision of the Affordable Care Act.  The goal of IPAB is to achieve specified savings in Medicare; ultimately this will have negative effects on both coverage and quality of care. 

Because of low reimbursement rates, physicians are increasingly refusing to take on new Medicare patients.  Typically these reimbursement rates are an astonishing 20% lower for Medicare compared to private healthcare.  If rates continue to be lowered, patients relying on Medicare will not receive the treatment they require.

Despite the importance of this panel’s decisions, it has virtually no oversight.  They even have the ability to overturn laws passed by Congress!  Furthermore, they have the power to deem certain medical procedures and services unnecessary as they see fit. Not to mention fifteen million dollars have been appropriated for IPAB in 2012 along with appointed members being paid at a rate described in Level III of the Executive Schedule or $165,300 per year as of 2010.

All in all, this panel has far too much influence, very little oversight, and will likely cause significant damage unless they are disbanded.  

I urge Congressman Latham and his colleagues to stand up for our citizens and continue voting to disband IPAB.  Healthcare is far too serious of an issue to play games with.