Repeal IPAB

Floor Speech

Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act that passed this body today.

The measure will repeal the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, that would limit seniors' access to Medicare.

In my rural Arkansas district, senior citizens rely on Medicare to see their doctor and get their prescriptions filled. Without the coverage, they would be in a world of hurt. IPAB has the real threat of limiting seniors' access to treatment. I won't stand idly by while the IPAB board of 15 unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats tries to deny Medicare services to my constituents.

Members of IPAB are not subject to any real checks and balances. A huge amount of power is being given to this Medicare-cutting board that will be tasked with deciding who can and can't receive health care benefits. I am committed to strengthening Medicare for today's seniors and the next generation of Americans for this program. The Independent Payment Advisory Board will not protect seniors; it will only deny care.

Mr. Speaker, the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act gives seniors in my Arkansas district the security of knowing that their Medicare benefits will not be denied by faceless bureaucrats. I hope the Senate will now take action and pass this important bill.

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