November 27, 2017

Numerous state and national organizations across the country are asking the Senate to join the House in voting to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) before the end of the year.

There is a broad and growing bipartisan consensus, in Congress and across states that IPAB should be repealed. Senate bills introduced by Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Wyden (D-OR) have proposed repeal of IPAB.  These bills have over 51 co-sponsors from both parties.  The FY2017 omnibus spending bill agreed on in May eliminated funding for IPAB.  And both the House and Senate FY2018 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations proposals eliminate this funding as well.

Concerns over IPAB include both its purpose and the board’s composition.  The board is charged with developing proposals to reduce Medicare spending, but its membership is comprised of individuals appointed by the President with no Senate confirmation. This combination creates the very real possibility that the future of Medicare may be determined by a small number of unelected bureaucrats.

Contact your Senator today and urge them to repeal IPAB: Senator Ron Johnson (email) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (email).