Date: 2015-06-18
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to H.R. 1190. the Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act of 2015. which repeals the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). that was established under the ACA in response to high rates of growth in Medicare expenditures and charged with developing proposals to "reduce the per capita rate of growth in Medicare spending." I oppose this bill strongly because by repealing IPAB before it has a chance to work. the bill would eliminate an important safeguard that will help reduce the rate of Medicare cost growth responsibly while protecting Medicare beneficiaries. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 1190 is nothing but another attempt. in a long line of House Republican efforts to undermine both the Medicare guarantee and the Affordable Care Act. Repealing IPAB cost over $7 billion during the course of a ten year period according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Republicans have chosen to pay for the cost of this repeal with cuts to the ACAs Prevention and Public Health Fund. This fund has invested nearly $5.25 billion into programs that support a number of public health initiatives. including obesity prevention and childhood immunization. It has been used to increase awareness of and access to preventive health services and reduce tobacco useconcentrating on the causes of chronic disease to help more Americans stay healthy. Eliminating these funds in the name of damaging the sustainability of Medicare is a twopronged attack on our nations public health. After more than five years under the Affordable Care Act. 16.4 million Americans have gained health coverage. up to 129 million people who could have otherwise been denied or faced discrimination now have access to coverage. Mr. Speaker. given the real challenges facing our nation. it is irresponsible for the Republican majority to continue bringing to the floor bills that have no chance of becoming law and would harm millions of Americans if they were to be enacted. House Republicans have tried 58 times to undermine the Affordable Care Act. which has enabled more than 16 million previously uninsured Americans to know the peace of mind that comes from having access to affordable. accessible. high quality health care. Their record to date is 058. it will soon be 059 because the President has announced that he will veto this bill if it makes it to his desk. Mr. Speaker. I ask my colleagues to look at the facts before prematurely repealing sections of the ACA that have significant negative impacts on Americans currently insured. The Independent Payment Advisory Board recommends to Congress policies that reduce the rate of Medicare growth and help Medicare provide better care at lower costs. IPAB has been highlighted by the nonpartisan CBO. economists. and health policy experts as contributing to Medicares longterm sustainability. The Board is already prohibited from recommending changes to Medicare that ration health care. restrict benefits. modify eligibility. increase cost sharing. or raise premiums or revenues. Under current law. the Congress retains the authority to modify. reject. or enhance IPAB recommendations to strengthen Medicare. and IPAB recommendations would take effect only if the Congress does not act to slow Medicare cost growth. Despite the Supreme Courts upholding of the laws constitutionality. the reelection of President Obama. and Speaker JOHN BOEHNERs declaration that: "Obamacare is the law of the land." Republicans refuse to stop wasting time and taxpayer money in their effort to take away the patient protections and benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Speaker. I ask that we stop wasting our time in taking away healthcare protections and benefits and work to ensure that we support the current law. A law that is providing access to an industry once denied to so many Americans and now supports millions. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting against H.R. 1190.