Protecting Access to Healthcare Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the bill before us.

H.R. 452, the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, had clear bipartisan support.

As a co-sponsor, I am deeply disappointed by Republicans' decision to link this legislation to an unrelated and partisan issue. This rule ensured that repealing IPAB would not be given serious consideration in the House.

My support for IPAB repeal reflects my confidence in and commitment to Medicare payment and delivery system reforms in the Affordable Care Act that will improve quality, increase efficiency and care coordination, and not only save lives but reduce costs.

IPAB is not a ``death panel'' or a ``rationing board.'' IPAB is simply the wrong approach to the right goal.

Abdicating responsibility for legislating sound health care policy, whether to an unelected commission or private insurers, undermines our ability to represent the needs of our constituents.

Republicans have once again demonstrated that political showmanship trumps legitimate concerns expressed by seniors and the medical community.

Linking IPAB repeal to tort reform--an unrelated, divisive, and polarizing issue--has brought what was once a bipartisan effort to a screeching halt.

I urge my colleagues to vote against this partisan stunt and put our Nation's seniors first.

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