Martha Roby: Putting patients first
Remember these promises from President Barack Obama about his healthcare law? “If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan…” “If you like your doctor you will be able to keep your doctor…” “We’ll lower premiums…” “No family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increases.” To many, they are unforgettable because they turned out to be untrue. Under Obamacare, many in Alabama and throughout the country did lose the health plans they liked. Many were forced to go to different doctors, to say nothing of the doctors who stopped practicing altogether. Premiums skyrocketed, and yes, many middle class families are impacted by new taxes, fees and penalties. One of those taxes, the Medical Device Tax, makes lifesaving equipment like pacemakers, artificial joints and MRI machines and subject to a 2.3 percent tax. The United States has always been a leader in medical innovation and treatment, but this tax on medical devices threatens to stifle that. Not only is our medical community harmed by the effects of this tax, but patients across Alabama and the United States are negatively impacted as well. That’s why this week the House of Representatives passed H.R. 160, which repeals Obamacare’s Medical Device Tax. The bill, which I co-sponsored, passed with a strong, bi-partisan vote of 280-140. It is now on its way to the Senate, which I hope will pass it expeditiously. Next week, we will take up another bill, H.R. 1190, to eliminate IPAB, or the Independent Payment Advisory Board. IPAB is an unelected, unaccountable panel with authority to slash Medicare payments. We must continue to push for sensible health care reform in place of costly, ill-advised provisions under Obamacare. Of course, I staunchly oppose the President’s health care law and have voted multiple times to repeal, replace or dismantle the law. Individual Americans and their doctors should determine which health care options best meet their needs, not federal government bureaucrats and politicians. Soon, the Supreme Court will rule in the pivotal King v. Burwell case, which could expose yet another broken promise of Obamacare and cause thousands in Alabama to lose affordable coverage. My colleagues in the House and I are carefully following this case and discussing legislation that will be needed to deal with the aftermath. I will keep you updated on any developments. More to come over the next few weeks. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. She is currently serving her third term.
Calling Gary Palmer: Broad coalition asks for congressman’s support to repeal Obamacare board
On May 5, more than 500 diverse groups came together to sign a letter urging members of Congress to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The IPAB has been a constant target of conservatives since Obamacare was passed. The Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act of 2015, U.S. House Bill 1190, repeals the IPAB board and is expected to come to the floor this week with 235 co-sponsors. From the Alabama delegation U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks, Bradley Byrne and Martha Roby are co-sponsors. Missing from the list is Rep. Gary Palmer. The letter asks Palmer to join the rest of the delegation in co-sponsoring the bill before the vote. A Palmer spokesman said the congressman is, “Inclined to support the bill. He favors repealing Obamacare, however, he does not co-sponsor every bill that he supports.” That’s not stopping concerned groups from pressuring him. Ann Eubank from the Rainy Day Patriots, one signer of the coalition letter said, “As a senior, I am encouraged that our Alabama Republican congressional delegation is co-sponsoring, and voting for, HR 1190. This bill gets rid if the onerous bureaucratic board called the ‘death panel’ that restricts access to Medicare coverage for us. I don’t need anyone but my doctor deciding what medical treatment I need.” Having worked for a member of the Congressional Doctors Caucus before moving to Alabama, I have spoken with many in the health-care profession about the issue. Doctors and hospital administrators know firsthand the disastrous effects that the IPAB would have on the affordability and access of health care in our nation, and it’s important we listen to them. Palmer is my congressman and I join the calls to ask him to support and vote for this important piece of legislation. The letter 2015 HLC IPAB Repeal Letter says in part: The undersigned organizations – representing Medicare beneficiaries and patients, all sectors of the healthcare industry as well as employers and other purchasers of care – believe strongly that the Medicare program must protect patient access to quality healthcare. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), not only poses a threat to that access but also, once activated, will shift healthcare costs to consumers in the private sector and infringe upon the decisionmaking responsibilities and prerogatives of the Congress. We request your support to repeal IPAB.
