Republican Leaders Refuse To Make Appointments To Key Obamacare Panel

[Redfairen]

Source: Talking Points Memo

The top two Republicans in Congress informed President Obama on Thursday that they will refuse to fulfill their duty under the Affordable Care Act to recommend members of a new board with the power to contain Medicare spending.

In a letter to President Obama, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) noted their original opposition to Obamacare, reiterated their intent to repeal it entirely, and declared that they would not make any appointments to the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

The IPAB is a 15-member panel whose members must be confirmed by the Senate. The President selects three members himself and is required by law to seek three recommendations each from the top Democrat and Republican in each chamber. With Thursday’s letter, Boehner and McConnell refused to make any recommendations.

“Because the law will give IPAB’s 15 unelected, unaccountable individuals the ability to deny seniors access to innovative care, we respectfully decline to recommend appointments,” Boehner and McConnell wrote in the letter.

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/boehner-mcconnell-letter-obama-ipab-obamacare.php

[tridim]

1. Then fucking quit you idiots.

In the real world people get fired when they don't do their job.

[Veilex]

4. Turns out there is a silver lining one way or another:

But there is a catch: if IPAB fails to do its work for any reason, the Health and Human Services secretary must order the cuts herself. So in a way, Boehner and McConnell are surrendering some of their power in order to appear as though they’re thwarting Obamacare — when in reality they’re merely turning over more control to the executive branch.

[elleng]

13. THANKS for finding this, Veilex.

[Veilex]

18. Anytime :)

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

5. "respectfully decline"

This is a polite way of saying, "fuck you, n*****!" This (in)action falls in the category of the petulant child crying and stomping their feet because they didn't get their way. Obama will not get a win, even if it benefits the American people.

Flip-flop. The Democrats "respectfully decline" to appoint members required for a board necessary to carry out a law they don't support, but which had passed anyway. Do the Republicans accept this quietly? Do we even need to think about what their response would be?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. You got it!!

[Veilex]

2. So if I read that right...

"The President selects three members himself and is required by law to seek three recommendations each from the top Democrat and Republican in each chamber." means, he has done his part, does it not? Should he not be able to make a choice being that the republicans have abstained from offering a recommendation? To me, abstaining IS a recomendation...even if a lack of one. So he should be able to nominate somone... at least thats how it seems to me.

[jeff47]

17. Actually, it's better than that for Obama.

If the board isn't staffed, the HHS secretary acts as a one-person board.

Basically, Captain Orange and the Turtle just gave Obama more power by refusing to follow the law.

[pangaia]

3. Folks, it is getting worse..

and much faster. It has become a geometric increase in insanity-- refusals to act responsibly, armed carry march on DC. Blocking anything Obama does, the Bengazi nonsense, attacking liberal leaning people for hating Murika, impeachment jabbering,..we all know the long, long list.

It is very serious, and serious NOW, at least from what I can see.
I was 37 when reagan was first elected so have been around at least to see what started then, or even earlier....drip, drip drip,,, faster drips... trickle(and NOT trickle down), spurts, steady stream, gushing, and it is now a deluge.
The G-forces from the acceleration are close to being beyond what a human being can stand...

If it isn't stopped right now, I think it will never be stopped and we are finished as a 'representative democracy.' Well, maybe that is finished all ready.

Positive encouragement welcome......

[Dustlawyer]

7. Help me spread the word to demand COMPLETE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM (CCFR)!

This is the only way short of revolution to get our Representative Democracy back!

[GeorgeGist]

6. Sounds like SCOTUS needs to get involved.

[OKNancy]

8. More from the article

reposting post #4 plus some more:

But there is a catch: if IPAB fails to do its work for any reason, the Health and Human Services secretary must order the cuts herself. So in a way, Boehner and McConnell are surrendering some of their power in order to appear as though they’re thwarting Obamacare — when in reality they’re merely turning over more control to the executive branch.

“Under the ACA, if the IPAB fails to make a recommendation as required under the IPAB provision, the Secretary may make a recommendation in its place,” said Tim Jost, a professor of health law at Washington and Lee University. “So if no IPAB is created, it is not fatal.”

IPAB is, however, capable of functioning without all of its members confirmed. But the letter reflects a continuation of broader GOP obstruction of Obamacare implementation. Senate Republicans have suggested that they may filibuster any IPAB nominee, period.

[SoapBox]

9. I SO hate these

asshole PukeBaggers.

[Iliyah]

10. Soooooooo therefor,

the members who accept the positions are entitled for make the changes, cuts, et al., and the GOPers will have no input in it and cannot stop them when done, right? In other words, the GOPers have waived their part of participation.

[freshwest]

11. They are fronting for a health insurance lobbyist already putting ads out to scare seniors.

Just the latest of their Death Panel memes.

“Because the law will give IPAB’s 15 unelected, unaccountable individuals the ability to deny seniors access to innovative care, we respectfully decline to recommend appointments,” Boehner and McConnell wrote in the letter.

They are telling seniors Obama will take away their prescription drugs, when it's about making it cheaper. The ad encourage them to call against this panel.

[warrprayer]

14. who votes

for these aholes? Are there that many idiots in America?

[bucolic_frolic]

15. Begin the Impeachment

of Boehner and McConnell

Refusing to do their lawful duty

[Cha]

16. K&R to shine the light on Kochroaches

thanks Redfairen

[judesedit]

19. 2014, Folks. VOTE the bums out of office. And continue to do so in 2016, 2018, & 2020