While Florida legislators were debating federally mandated Medicaid expansion, some 1,000 miles to the north the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday opted to repeal two pieces of the president's signature health-care act.
The committee advanced measures that would unload Obamacare of the medical device tax and a cost-cutting panel known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). Both bills are scheduled to go to the House floor the week of June 15.
Surprisingly, the vote on these bills wasn't a party-line affair -- a rarity these days inside the Beltway.
“I’m happy to say ... these bills have broad, bipartisan support,” said Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., chairman of the committee. “I’d like to think they’re just common sense.”
Less controversially, the panel is also set to approve tweaks to the Medicare Advantage system for the government to contract with private insurers to provide care to seniors.
Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan, only Florida member of the House Ways and Means, introduced the bipartisan legislation to preserve Medicare Advantage for thousands of seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
The “Seniors Health Care Plan Protection Act,” HR 2506, would prevent the Obama administration from terminating certain Medicare Advantage plans, putting nearly 10,000 seniors in Buchanan’s district alone at risk of losing their coverage, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The administration has threatened to unilaterally terminate certain Medicare Advantage plans which are unable to meet the complex demands of the current CMS 5-Star rating system. These plans largely serve low-income individuals who are in poor health.
“Medicare Advantage plans have a proven track record of improving health outcomes, reducing costs, and offering much needed personal choice to seniors,” Buchanan said. “I am fully committed to strengthening and preserving this vitally important program any way we can."
Buchanan, a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, introduced the Seniors’ Health Care Plan Protection Act with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and the vice chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
Members of both parties have criticized the 2.3 percent tax on medical device manufacturers, which helps fund Obamacare. They blame it for stifling innovation and hurting the industry.
Bipartisan attacks have also been waged against IPAB, which is tasked with recommending cuts in Medicare spending if it rises above a certain level. Critics warn the system "could lead to unelected bureaucrats making important decisions about seniors’ care."
While the device tax repeal passed the Ways and Means Committee on a mostly party-line vote, seven Democrats joined Republicans in voting to repeal the IPAB.
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
