The American College of Radiology (ACR) has sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives expressing support for the repeal of a new panel designed to target areas of Medicare for spending reductions.
The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) was established as part of the Obama administration's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) healthcare reform bill. The 15-member panel has the power to make changes to Medicare programs without the approval of Congress (although Congress has the power to overrule the agency), and is viewed as a more powerful version of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
ACR said it and other medical societies oppose IPAB because they feel the agency would have too much control over Medicare policy without "appropriate input and representation" from patients, physicians, and elected officials.
The organization supports legislation that would repeal IPAB, called the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2013. The legislation is expected to be introduced in Congress this week.
