ASA joins coalition opposing unelected and unaccountable new Medicare payment Board

Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) authorized to recommend physician payment cuts

ASA has joined with 74 other provider and beneficiary groups in urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to oppose the inclusion of a Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) in any final health reform proposal.   Legislative language currently included in the Senate reform proposal, H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, creates the unelected and largely unaccountable IPAB.  The new Board would have the authority to issue binding recommendations to Congress that reduce Medicare spending including recommendations that would require reductions in Medicare payments to physicians.   The recommendations would be automatically implemented unless Congress acted in opposition.

• Letter to Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi opposing IPAB