President Trying to Sneak in IPAB Board Created by Obamacare

It is one of the most hated parts of the Obamacare law — the infamous Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The law gives this board of unelected officials broad authority to impose Medicare cuts which most believe will lead to rationing care for older Americans. IPAB is directed to issue recommendations to limit what individuals can pay for medical treatment using their own funds. IPAB is empowered to use “quality” and “efficiency” measures to prevent medical inflation with heavy penalties inflicted on doctors who prescribe more lifesaving medical treatment than permitted by IPAB.

IPAB is so unpopular that a bill before Congress to repeal it has 144 co-sponsors from both parties. Over 270 medical organizations asked Congress to repeal IPAB in a letter sent last week. Even if the House passes the repeal, the Senate is unlikely to follow suit and, if it did, the measure faces a presidential veto.

Some fear the President may be able to get the Board up and running by making enough recess appointments to allow IPAB to begin conducting business. There is funding for IPAB to begin operations in October of this year.

What is so disturbing is that the President and his allies routinely criticize the Ryan plan to deal with Medicare, claiming that seniors will be hurt, while working almost fanatically to create a board which would be far worse.

Barbara Lyons