WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Ron Estes (R-KS) today introduced the HEALTH Panel Act, a bill strengthening congressional oversight of, and statutory authority for, the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Panel of Health Advisers.
The bill will help improve the accuracy of CBO’s scores on bills related to health care by codifying the Panel of Health Advisers, establishing congressional appointment authority, and requiring an annual report to the Budget Committees detailing the panel’s work and recommendations.
“Balancing the budget starts with understanding how new policies will impact our bottom line. The HEALTH Panel Act is a necessary, common-sense step to improve both cost estimates and congressional oversight of the CBO’s Panel of Health Advisers, so that Congress can craft effective legislation with a full and accurate understanding of its budgetary impacts,” said Rep. Carter.
“As our nation faces a $36 trillion debt and climbing, it’s absolutely critical that lawmakers have accurate information about various facets of American industries, including health care that touches everyone,” said Rep. Estes. “The common sense HEALTH Panel Act codifies the existing CBO Panel of Health Advisers and better defines roles and expectations for this important advisory group. I'm grateful that Rep. Buddy Carter has reintroduced this legislation that ensures experts in the medical field are providing appropriate guidance and insight to CBO.”
Read full bill text here.
BACKGROUND
The CBO Panel of Health Advisers consists of health care experts and stakeholders that advise CBO on issues pertaining to health care policy.
The core purpose of the panel is to provide technical and functional expertise and recommendations to CBO to improve its studies, analyses, and cost estimates related to health care issues and policies.
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