Congress, cut loose ObamaCare’s notorious Medicare board

The debate over repealing and replacing ObamaCare has caused a political divide on policies affecting how every American will receive and access healthcare. However, “repeal and replace” isn’t the only legislative option available that will contribute to dismantling the Affordable Care Act. This year, repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) has received a surprising amount of bipartisan support in Congress, and the deadline for off-ramping this powerful but not-yet-established body is quickly approaching.

Section 3403 of the Affordable Care Act provides the IPAB shall be established if the chief actuary for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) determines the five-year average per-capita growth rate for Medicare spending exceeds its annual target. Once exceeded, the president of the United States, with the consent of the Senate, shall appoint a 15-member federal board which will have the authority to propose ways to reduce Medicare spending.

Read the article in full online from The Hill.