Deficit panel releases final proposal

The bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform released a final proposal to reduce national debt and spending, including healthcare costs. The healthcare recommendations are in line with those outlined in a mid-November draft co-chair's proposal; however, the final proposal removes language recommending elimination of the trigger that could turn off the Independent Payment Advisory Board in 2019. IPAB was established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to make Medicare cost-cutting proposals that would automatically be adopted unless Congress enacts alternative cuts of the same size. ...