Legislation Repeals Controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board and Advances Medical Malpractice Reform

WASHINGTON– Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today issued the following statement after voting for legislation that repeals the health care law’s controversial cost-control board called IPAB and at the same time institutes a national comprehensive medical liability system.  The measure, H.R. 5, the "Protecting Access to Healthcare (PATH) Act," passed the U.S. House by a vote of 223 to 181.  

“The U.S. House has again taken action to reverse a key element of the President's health care reform law by passing legislation that combines the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board with significant medical malpractice reforms that will help reduce health care costs and preserve patients’ access to medical care.

“Most Americans agree that leaving Medicare payment decisions in the hands of an unelected, unaccountable board with minimal congressional oversight is bad public policy that might lead to the rationing of care. Repealing the IPAB is the right thing to do.  

“And as a long-time supporter of meaningful medical liability reform H.R. 5 would end frivolous lawsuits that force doctors to practice defensive medicine and drive up health care costs.

"As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I am pleased to have helped enact H.R. 5.  It is real, meaningful health care reform that will help bring down medical costs that are escalating at unsustainable rates while at the same time protecting needed care for our senior citizens.  I urge the U.S. Senate to follow the House action and join the nearly 400 groups representing patients, doctors, and employers in support of the IPAB repeal and medical malpractice reform.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:  During consideration of H.R. 5 Lance spoke on the floor of the U.S. House in support of the bill.  Click here to watch Lance’s floor speech.

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