ASA Joins 19 Specialty Physician Organizations in Pushing Repeal of IPAB

In a recent letter, the American Society of Anesthesiologists joined 19 other specialty physician associations in urging members of the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board as part of their broader deficit reduction package, according to an ASA release.

IPAB was created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to mandate reductions to Medicare Part B payments as well as SGR cuts. IPAB would have the authority to override previous decisions made by Congress.

In the letter, the groups state, "Leaving Medicare payment decisions in the hands of an unelected, unaccountable body with minimal congressional oversight will negatively affect timely access to quality healthcare for our country's senior citizens and the disabled."

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