WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, March 22, 2012, Representative Scott DesJarlais (TN-04) voted in favor of H.R. 5, the Protecting Access to Health Care (PATH) Act, which among other things will repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that was set up in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This legislation passed with a vote of 223-181.

Representative DesJarlais released the following statement after House passage of the legislation:

“As a physician I’m appalled by the idea of a panel of 15 unelected Washington bureaucrats determining what procedures doctors can provide to Medicare patients. IPAB takes away the ability for seniors and their doctors to decide on how best to meet their health care needs.

“This unaccountable board’s sole objective is to control Medicare costs by imposing price controls that will restrict seniors’ access to doctors and ultimately lead to the rationing of care.

“I hope that the Senate will join us in repealing this dangerous board so that we can replace it with real solutions that will protect our seniors’ access to quality health care.”