Thompson joins House majority in passing Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act

In the wake of House passage of the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) released a statement to his constituents and fellow lawmakers reiterating his support for the measure, which he co-sponsored.

The bipartisan bill would essentially repeal the sections of the Affordable Care Act that set up the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a group of 15 appointees that works to establish cost constraints on Medicare. The existence of the IPAB has been a source of controversy and great debate since its creation.

The Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act, or H.R. 1190, passed the House by a vote of 244-154. It also has the support of more than 500 of the most influential medical professional and patient organizations in the country, representing care providers, patients and the private business community.

“The Independent Payment Advisory Board, established under the Affordable Care Act, is a bad deal for older Pennsylvanians and in no way helps to preserve or strengthen Medicare for future generations,”  Thompson said. “Repealing this provision will allow Congress, not backroom bureaucrats, to make decisions when it comes to the health care of our nation’s seniors.”