Ok, that’s not fair, it’s not a death panel, it’s the Independent Payment Advisory Board established by the Affordable Care Act to control Medicare costs. It’s first report was due July 2014.
But guess what? There is no IPAB. Inaction by Congress and the President has resulted in zero appointments to the Board.
On the other hand, Medicare costs have not grown to the level to trigger IPAB cost cutting recommendations, but at the same time the CMS Chief Actuary had estimated the Board would save Medicare $24 billion through 2019. And of course we have the conclusions of the Medicare Trustees in their 2014 Annual Report.
Are you confused yet? Welcome to the club. Now, do you have a warm and fuzzy feeling about all the assumptions, projections and savings from the Affordable Care Act❓😛
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 