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Myrick Votes To Repeal IPAB & Restore Health Care Choices to Patients, Doctors

(Washington, DC)–  Today, US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09) voted to repeal the Independent Patient Advisory Board, known as IPAB, a controversial component of the health care law that was signed into law two years ago this week.

The IPAB is an independent board of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats tasked with finding spending cuts both within Medicare and the private health care system.

However, because of the limitations on what the IPAB is allowed to cut, a majority of the cuts will come from Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D provider fees, preventing physicians from providing treatments their patients need but that have been deemed not valuable.

“Not only will the IPAB limit procedures and treatments, but by 2015 it will make decisions about what private plans will cover,” Rep. Myrick said. “This is what’s fundamentally wrong with the health care reform law. The ability to make decisions about health care is being taken away from patients and doctors, and put into the hands of bureaucrats. IPAB needs to go, as does the entire health care law, and replaced with reforms to reduce costs – not access to care.”

In addition to repealing the IPAB, The Protecting Access To Healthcare (PATH) Act includes comprehensive medical liability reform. These reforms are based on successful state medical malpractice laws, and protect patients’ rights while curbing frivolous lawsuits that drive up health care costs.  It is estimated that these reforms will save $48 billion in taxpayer dollars.

Today’s vote marks the 26th time that the House has voted to repeal all or part of the health care law. The PATH Act passed in the House by a vote of 223-181.

Click here for Rep. Myrick’s floor speech in support of The PATH Act.

 

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