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Budget Deal Passes, IPAB Repealed

Posted 2/09/18 (Fri)

Early Friday morning, both the House and Senate passed a spending deal that includes a two-year budget package to increase spending caps, and includes funding to keep the government running smoothly through March 23.

It also repealed the unpopular Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).

Since 2013, NDMA fought to eliminate this advisory board – a board that would have authority to cut billions in Medicare, and ultimately compromise patient healthcare.

It concerned physicians that strict budgetary targets would threaten the ability of healthcare needed by seniors and the disabled.

In addition to the IPAB repeal, all expired Medicare programs, known as extenders, are funded, including tweaks to Medicare rules for chronically ill enrollees.

Most significantly, CHIP will receive an extra four years of funding—bringing the previous six-year extension to a full decade.

Congratulations to all NDMA members and partners who have worked hard to eliminate IPAB and protect healthcare for patients.