U.S. Representative Phil Roe, MD (R-Tenn.) has introduced a bill that aims to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a 15-person panel that recommends spending cuts to Medicare, according to an ASCA report.
The bill, titled Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (H.R. 351), already has bipartisan support from 84 cosponsors. IPAB is prohibited from suggesting cuts to patient benefits, so the board's decisions can only affect providers. Hospitals also exempt from cuts until 2018, meaning cuts will only affect ASCs, physicians, drug manufacturers and others for several years.
Legislators have voiced concern that Medicare consumers cannot contest decisions made by the IPAB.
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The bill, titled Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act (H.R. 351), already has bipartisan support from 84 cosponsors. IPAB is prohibited from suggesting cuts to patient benefits, so the board's decisions can only affect providers. Hospitals also exempt from cuts until 2018, meaning cuts will only affect ASCs, physicians, drug manufacturers and others for several years.
Legislators have voiced concern that Medicare consumers cannot contest decisions made by the IPAB.
Related Articles on ASC-Related Legislation:
8 Changes in Healthcare Delivery & How Surgeons Can Keep Up
ASA Backs Independent Payment Advisory Board Repeal
17 Healthcare Niches -- Observations for 2013