House IPAB repeal linked to tort reform legislation

Joining the two measures is causing some Democrats who back the repeal of the health law's Independent Payment Advisory Board to change their positions.

Politico: GOP Links IPAB Repeal And Malpractice Reform
IPAB repeal legislation began to hemorrhage Democratic support Monday, after Republicans said they intend to pair the broadly popular House bill with a more partisan medical malpractice reform package (Dobias, 3/13).

Modern Healthcare: IPAB Repeal Attached To House Tort-Reform Bill
House members are expected to vote next week on a medical liability reform bill that includes language to repeal the health reform law's Independent Payment Advisory Board, House Republican aides say.When they return to Capitol Hill after a weeklong recess, House members will consider the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011, a bill introduced last year by Reps. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and David Scott (D-Ga.). That bill calls for capping punitive damages in healthcare lawsuits to $250,000 or two times the amount of economic damages awarded, whichever is greater (Zigmond, 3/13).