Roe, Sanchez Health Care Bill Reaches Milestone, Earns Widespread Endorsement from Key Health Groups

Press Release

Today, Reps. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) and Linda Sánchez (D-CA) announced their legislation to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) has surpassed 218 cosponsors, a critical milestone necessary to ensure House passage should the legislation receive a floor vote.

The bill, H.R. 1190, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2015, has 222 cosponsors - including Rep. Roe. 19 Democrats have signed on to the bill.

More than 500 groups representing providers, patients, and the business community also voiced support for the legislation, stating the IPAB would be "devastating for patients." Their support letter can be found here.

Rep. Roe (R-TN) released the following statement on the widespread, bipartisan support:

"I am proud of the support behind this bill, not just in this Congress but in previous years. I am also grateful to Rep. Sánchez for her work on this issue. This is proof that Republicans and Democrats can work together to do what's right for seniors, and I hope House leaders will bring this important bill to the floor for a vote. The thought of entrusting a bureaucrat with sweeping powers over Medicare costs should be alarming to both Republicans and Democrats alike, and I am glad to lead this effort."

Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), the lead Democrat cosponsor of H.R 1190, released the following statement:

"I'd like to thank Congressman Phil Roe for his leadership on this issue. While I am a strong supporter of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, I know no bill is 100% perfect. The current IPAB provision allows for an unelected bureaucracy to make unaccountable changes to Medicare. We should return authority to Congress and work to improve the law's efficacy. It's simple: when it comes to recommendations for Medicare, members of Congress have a better pulse on the needs of their constituents."

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