FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23^rd, 2011

Erik's Correspondence Corner: IPAB Repeal & The House Republican Budget 

Keeping the lines of communication open with constituents

Washington, D.C. – In this week’s installment of  “Erik’s Correspondence Corner” video series, Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03) directly responds to a question sent in from Allison in Corcoran regarding this week’s House vote to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a powerful new board of 15 unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats whose job will be to save money by setting reimbursement rates for specific procedures – giving them the power to deny care to seniors. Rep. Paulsen also answers a Facebook question from Russell in Mound regarding the House Republican budget rolled out this week. 

Each week, Representative Paulsen receives thousands of letters, emails, tweets, Facebook posts, and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions. Through this video series, Representative Paulsen will regularly respond to constituent correspondence on a variety of topics. 

Watch this week’s video here.

On repealing IPAB

“IPAB will no doubt - and we heard this in testimony - allow this board of unelected, unaccountable folks to make the decisions on what payments should be given to doctors and physicians, so in turn providers will not be providing certain procedures or care for seniors if they are not going to get reimbursed - So it will end up denying care.”

“We’ve heard from over 350 organizations that represent veterans, small businesses and large business owners, doctors, physicians, and consumers who want to repeal this provision.”

On House Republican budget

“The bottom line is hardworking taxpayers do need to be protected; and we can’t be spending more than we take in – the budget rolled out in the House is going to lay out those priorities.”

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