Healthcare Leadership Council Applauds U.S. House for Vote to Repeal Independent Payment Advisory Board

In Earlier Letter to Congress, HLC, Other Groups Said IPAB Would Be “Devastating to Patients”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House voted by a wide margin, 244-154, to eliminate the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) provisions of the Affordable Care Act, a step praised by the Healthcare Leadership Council, an organization comprised of leaders from all U.S. healthcare sectors.

The House’s 90-vote margin supporting the repeal legislation introduced by Representatives Phil Roe (R-TN) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) included “yes” votes by 11 House Democrats, a deceptively low number. Almost double that number of Democrats co-sponsored the Roe-Sanchez legislation but some eventually voted against it because of disagreements over how to pay for the measure.

In an earlier letter to Congress signed by the Healthcare Leadership Council and over 500 organizations representing patients, healthcare providers, veterans, employers and Americans with disabilities, it was pointed out that IPAB-generated Medicare cuts would adversely affect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.

“This would be devastating for patients, affecting access to care and innovative therapies,” the groups wrote, pointing out that the number of physicians unable to accept new Medicare patients due to low reimbursement rates has been increasing. “IPAB-generated payment reductions would only increase the access difficulties faced by too many Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, payment reductions to Medicare providers will almost certainly result in a shifting of health costs to employers and consumers in the private sector.”