Rep. Culberson votes to Repeal Independent Payment Advisory Board

Statement

Today, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act's Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) by a vote of 223-181. Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) issued the following statement supporting the action:

"Today, House Republicans voted to repeal the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) created by the Affordable Care Act. The Protecting Access to Healthcare Act (H.R. 5) will ensure that seniors have access to health care by repealing the panel of 15 unelected and unaccountable government bureaucrats given authority to reduce Medicare costs with arbitrary cuts to providers resulting in de facto rationing of care for seniors.

"I am proud to be a cosponsor of the IPAB repeal bill and was pleased to join 223 of my colleagues in voting today for a bill that helps ensure seniors have access to health care and reform lawsuit abuse. Today's vote was one more step in stopping the intrusion of government in our lives.

"Not only does the bill we passed today repeal IPAB, it also will help prevent the frivolous lawsuits against doctors that have led to skyrocketing increases in malpractice insurance premiums. In Texas, our physicians were being sued at twice the national average. But in 2003, the Texas legislature enacted sweeping medical liability reforms that started to fix the problem. "Since then, claims and lawsuits in most Texas counties have been cut in half; and the number of doctors applying to practice in Texas has skyrocketed by 60 percent.

"I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will rule that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. Until then, I remain committed to repealing this costly and dangerous government takeover of our health care system -- piece by piece if necessary."

Source