U.S. Rep. David Young
Iowa’s Third Congressional District
The dysfunction in Washington, D.C., frustrates me. I know it frustrates you too. Iowans, Americans – we have grown tired of it. But sometimes the gridlock becomes the story and the commonsense legislation is overshadowed. I wanted to make sure you were aware of some good news from Congress this week.
On Tuesday, June 24, the U.S. House of Representative passed H.R. 1190, the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act of 2015. The Affordable Care Act, more commonly referred to as Obamacare, created an Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). This bill gets rid of that board. I don’t believe 15 unelected bureaucrats should have the power to make decisions affecting the quality of Medicare services by imposing taxes and rationing care with almost no oversight. Elected officials in Congress, the president, our courts, and the voters must be able to challenge these decisions.
It is hard to believe that leaders in this country, when this law was passed in 2009, would think this was a good idea. It made me mad, and I think it should make you mad too. How does an unelected board get to cut payments to seniors or impose taxes with zero oversight? I believe one of Congress’ first priorities – certainly my first priority as your representative in Washington, D.C. – is to provide oversight of the federal government. We may have disagreements and debates on how to solve policy problems, but we cannot accept mismanagement. I will be a steward of effective, good governance as long as I have the privilege of serving you in the halls of Congress.
Medicare is not an entitlement. It is a promise that Iowans and Americans all across this country have earned. This panel only exists to remove control and choice from patients – from seniors. I joined the legislation as an original co-sponsor and I am proud that the House passed legislation to dismantle this group of unelected bureaucrats.
Strengthening health care requires us to take a step back and reflect on what works and what does not work. We must involve our constituents; I talk to Iowans all the time about what they want their health care to look like now and in the future. Bottom line, we must put patients and families first. I have been working on solutions that reverse the troubling trend of government bureaucrats telling you what you should do regarding your health care. If we put Americans in charge of their health care dollars and decisions, we can get at the root of this problem — cost.
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