WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), today approved the Medicare Decisions Accountability Act (H.R. 452), the Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act (H.R. 3309), and the Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act (H.R. 3310).
“The common thread among these bills is ensuring a sound process," said Upton. “What matters is not just what government does, but how we do it. Whether it’s decisions about how to protect Medicare patients while reducing the cost of the program or whether it’s how the Federal Communications Commission administers telecommunications policy, these practices should be open and accountable. And that’s precisely what this legislation is designed to accomplish."
The Medicare Decisions Accountability Act, which repeals the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board, passed by voice vote without any recorded opposition. IPAB was created by the health care law and has drawn widespread bipartisan opposition because it threatens to reduce seniors’ access to treatments and services in Medicare.
The Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act, which aims to improve the way the FCC operates by improving transparency, predictability, and consistency as part of Republicans’ ongoing effort to ensure the commission’s work encourages job creation, investment, and innovation, passed by a vote of 31 to 16.
The Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act, which consolidates the reporting obligations of the FCC to improve transparency and oversight while reducing regulatory burdens, passed by voice vote without any recorded opposition.
