Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson recently supported final passage of two bills that would repeal two of the most unpopular and onerous provisions in Obamacare. H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, and H.R. 1190, the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act of 2015 were both passed by the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

The Protect Medical Innovation Act passed last Thursday, by a vote of 280-140. It repeals the harmful 2.3% excise tax on medical devices like pacemakers, CT scan machines, and defibrillators.

 “The medical device tax has already driven up costs for medical device manufacturers, many of whom have told me they must pass on those costs to the customer in order to stay in business,” said Congressman Simpson. “It is essentially a tax on medical care in this country. That is why I am pleased the House acted in a bipartisan manner to repeal this tax.  We should encourage innovation, not tax it.” 

H.R. 1190, the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act eliminates the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which is a board of unelected bureaucrats tasked with deciding payment rates for Medicare.  Included in Obamacare is authority for IPAB to operate without public meetings or hearings, consider public input on proposals, or make its deliberations open to the public.

“The IPAB is a provision of Obamacare that has concerned me since day one,” said Simpson.  “We all know that without effective reform, Medicare as we know it will not be there for our children and grandchildren.  Any changes to Medicare must happen in public, with broad input, and with the best interests of the American people in mind.  Unfortunately, the IPAB is authorized to act in the completely opposite manner—with the power to impact American’s Medicare benefits behind closed doors and with little public or congressional oversight.”

H.R. 1190 passed the House today by a vote of 244-154 and along with H.R. 160 will be considered in the U.S. Senate.