House Committee OKs Bill To Repeal Reform Law’s Payment Board
On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation (HR 452) that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which was created under the federal health reform law to rein in Medicare spending, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports (Baker, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 3/6).
Panel members approved the bill by voice vote without any recorded opposition. The vote comes nearly a week after the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee voted 17-5 in favor of the legislation (Zigmond, Modern Healthcare, 3/6).
Subcommittee Holds Hearing on IPAB
Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health on Tuesday held a hearing to discuss the bill, during which members from both parties voiced opposition to the board, CQ Today reports.
Twenty Democrats are among the bill's 232 cosponsors (Attias, CQ Today, 3/6).
Mark Ups for House Rules, Ways and Means Panels Next
The legislation is under the jurisdiction of the House Rules and Ways and Means committees.
The Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to mark up the bill on March 8. The Rules Committee has not yet announced when it will mark up the bill (Khatami, CQ Today, 3/6).
Bill Could Reach House Floor Ahead of Supreme Court Arguments
The bill could reach the House floor as early as the week of March 19, CQ Today reports.
A spokesperson for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said the House will discuss the measure prior to the Supreme Court oral arguments on the constitutionality of the overhaul, which are scheduled for March 26 through March 28 (Attias, CQ Today, 3/6).
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