Obama Death Panels on the chopping block

A week from now, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding a key provision of the 2010 health care law, the individual mandate. Also dubbed "Obamacare" by political opponents, efforts to undo other parts of the legislation continue unabated in Congress.

WASHINGTON DC (Catholic Online) - In congressional sights this week, are the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), or a.k.a. "death panels" that have been notoriously referenced by Obamacare opponents.

The board's actual goal has been to eliminate wasteful spending for Medicare by removing political influence from the cost-cutting process. The board is intended to be made up of independent doctors and experts who will identify inefficiencies in the Medicare system, make cuts, and reallocate payments as needed.

The IPAB has been compared to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission which has been successful in cutting military spending by closing bases they have identified as redundant.

The IPAB, to be clear, is not a "death panel" per se. The organization will not be permitted to make decisions about individual care. However, it has been criticized as though this were part of its intent.

Despite the fact the IPAB is not a death panel, that will ruthlessly for the sick or elderly, there is still no guarantee that the panel will be effective. As such, congressional Republicans plan to vote on Wednesday to eradicate the provision.

There is no way to be certain, at this time, if the IPAB would really be beneficial or not, but congressional Republicans want to kill the provision so they can go home in an election year and say they dismantled at least a part of Obamacare, which they loathe.

Supporters of the IPAB say that the board is necessary because it will remove lobbyists from the decision-making process and prevent congressional interference. This could prevent the influence of large corporations or other entities whose primary interest is profit rather than the health of patients.

So on one side, congressional Democrats support the provision because they believe it will make Medicare more efficient, but Republicans want to kill it so they have a feather in their hats they return home for reelection.

For the record, at least 15 Democrats have crossed the aisle and spoken out against the IPAB. 

Not all Republicans have stated their opposition on ideological grounds. There is a very practical reason to kill the provision. 

Critics say the IPAB cannot actually do anything to lower costs. According to the law, the IPAB cannot ration care or restrict benefits -- this is supposed to ensure that it does not become a "death panel." At the same time, it creates an organization that is unlikely to curb costs because even if they identify waste, they have no authority to cut.

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Experts do not believe that a final decision on the IPAB provision will happen this year -- at least not until after the November elections. In the meantime, the Supreme Court will have taken the opportunity to weigh in on the issue.

Still, Wednesday's vote will send a message and give Republicans and the Democrats who have joined them something to discuss when they return home.

The fate of Obamacare remains largely uncertain, as conservatives, those conecerned about the constitution, some civil libertarians, and now religious groups, counterattack what they see as government encroachment on individual liberty, the free exercise of religion and freedom of conscience. With the Obama administration refusing to back down or make any substantial compromises, the fight will make headlines for a long time to come.

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