Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB)

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The House of Representatives has voted 307 – 111 to approve HR 849, Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act, to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).  Under the ACA, the IPAB must submit Medicare spending plans to Congress if projected spending growth exceeds specified targets.  IPAB proposals go into effect automatically unless Congress enacts …

The House Ways and Means Committee has approved by a 24-13 vote HR 849, Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act, to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The IPAB was established by the ACA to submit Medicare spending plans to Congress if projected spending growth exceeds specified targets. Under the ACA, future IPAB’s proposals…

President Trump has released his FY 2018 budget proposal, which the Administration dubs “A New Foundation for American Greatness.”  The proposed budget – which received a generally chilly reception on Capitol Hill – offers a mixed bag for the health care industry.  On the one hand, a document summarizing the Department of Health…

On February 9, 2016, the Obama Administration released its proposed fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget, which contains significant Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and program integrity legislative proposals – including $419 billion in Medicare savings over 10 years. These proposed policy changes would require action by Congress, and Republican Congressional leaders have already voiced general…

Today the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3762, budget “reconciliation” legislation that would repeal four provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Specifically, the legislation would repeal the ACA employer and individual insurance mandates, the medical device excise tax, and the so-called “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health plans (an earlier House Ways and Means Committee…

On September 29, 2015, the House Ways and Means Committee approved budget “reconciliation” legislation that calls for repeal of five provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Specifically, the legislation would repeal the employer and individual insurance mandates, the medical device excise tax, the so-called “Cadillac tax on high-cost health plans, and the Independent Payment…

The House of Representatives has taken action on a number of bills to modify certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, revise Medicare Advantage policies, and make other health policy changes.

On June 23, 2015, the House voted to approve H.R. 1190, a bill to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), by a vote of 244 to 154. The IPAB was established by the ACA to submit Medicare spending plans to Congress if projected spending growth exceeds specified targets. Under the ACA, future IPAB’s proposals would go into effect automatically unless Congress enacts alternative legislation achieving required savings levels. IPAB members have not been appointed, and the spending trigger for IPAB recommendations has not yet been reached. The Administration has expressed its opposition to the bill, noting that while the IPAB “is not projected to be needed now or for a number of years given recent exceptionally slow growth in health care costs, it could serve a valuable role should rapid growth in health costs return.”

This action follows House approval last week of H.R. 160, a bill to repeal the ACA medical device tax, applicable to sales in calendar quarters beginning after the date of enactment. The Administration also opposes enactment of this legislation on grounds that it would increase the deficit. In other action, the House also approved the following health policy bills last week:Continue Reading House Passes Bills to Repeal ACA Medical Device Tax and IPAB, Revise Medicare Advantage Policy

On June 2, 2015, the House Ways and Means Committee approved ten health policy bills, including legislation to repeal the ACA’s medical device tax and the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Other measures would make a series of changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) requirements and Medicare long-term care hospital (LTCH) policy. Specifically, the Committee approved the following bills:
Continue Reading Ways and Means Committee Approves Health Policy Bills, Including Repeal of ACA Medical Device Tax & IPAB, and Medicare Advantage/LTCH Policy Changes

On May 5, 2015, the Senate approved the conference report to accompany S.Con.Res. 11, the concurrent resolution setting forth the federal budget for FY 2016 and establishing budgetary target levels for FYs 2017 through 2025, following earlier House approval. The conference agreement, which was approved on largely party-line votes, includes nonbinding language supporting Affordable Care…

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has raised the specter that pending legislation to reform the Medicare physician fee schedule statutory update formula could increase the likelihood that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) mechanism would be triggered – potentially resulting in as much as $0.6 billion in Medicare provider cuts during …

The ACA’s controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) is charged with submitting detailed proposals to Congress and the President to reduce Medicare per-capita spending if projected spending growth exceeds a specified target based initially on inflation and then growth in the economy. IPAB’s proposals will go into effect automatically unless Congress enacts alternative legislation to…

Today, the Obama Administration released its proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2014. As widely reported, the budget incorporates an offer the President made to Congress in December 2012 to achieve nearly $1.8 trillion in additional deficit reduction over the next 10 years, including $401 billion in health savings (the Administration observes that this level of cuts would “provide more than enough deficit reduction to replace the damaging cuts required by the Joint Committee sequestration”).

Virtually all provider types – and drug manufacturers – would be impacted by the budget provisions, if adopted as proposed. The budget proposal is certainly subject to change during the legislative process, particularly as the House and Senate leadership pursue alternative budget frameworks, and indeed, gridlock could prevent significant action on entitlement reform this year. Nevertheless, the proposals bear careful monitoring because they could eventually be included in any long-elusive “grand bargain” to reform the Medicare program and reduce the federal debt.

Highlights of the Administration’s Medicare and Medicaid proposals include the following:Continue Reading Obama Administration’s Proposed FY 2014 Budget Includes $401 Billion in Health Program Savings

On March 22, 2012, the House approved by a 223-181 vote H.R. 5, the “Protecting Access to Healthcare Act,” which would repeal the ACA’s controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), paid for with medical liability reforms.  IPAB is charged with submitting detailed proposals to Congress and the President to reduce Medicare per-capita spending if…

The House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees have approved H.R. 452, the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2011, which would repeal the ACA’s controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). IPAB is charged with submitting detailed proposals to Congress and the President to reduce Medicare per-capita spending if projected spending growth exceeds…

A number of Congressional panels have held hearings on health policy issues this month, and more are scheduled, including the following:

  • The House Energy and Commerce Committee has held hearings on: reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA); the ACA’s Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which is charged with helping to contain Medicare

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