Georgia Mountain News

The House Budget Committee has approved the HEALTH Panel Act, a bill spearheaded by Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX). This legislation aims to enhance congressional oversight and statutory authority over the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Panel of Health Advisors.

The bill seeks to improve the accuracy of CBO's scores on health care-related bills by codifying the Panel of Health Advisors, establishing congressional appointment authority, and mandating an annual report to the Budget Committees detailing the panel’s activities and recommendations.

“It’s no secret that health care is expensive. As one of the primary drivers of our nation’s runaway $35 trillion in debt, it is critical that CBO have the authority required to accurately project the budgetary impact new health care policies will have. The HEALTH Panel Act is a necessary, common-sense step to improve both cost estimates and congressional oversight of this key panel, and I hope to see it on the House floor soon,” said Rep. Carter.

“The passage of the HEALTH Panel Act through the House Budget Committee is a major win for American patients, physicians, and the U.S. health care system,” said Congressman Burgess. “Unelected officials in the Congressional Budget Office should not have the power to influence the legislative process as it pertains to health care policies. This commonsense legislation will grant congressional authority to codify a bipartisan Panel of Health Advisors within the CBO that prioritize the needs of the patient and not their own partisan agenda. Thank you to Congressman Carter for joining me in revitalizing this panel with statutory authority.”

The CBO Panel of Health Advisors includes health care experts and stakeholders who advise CBO on issues related to health care policy. The main role of this panel is to provide technical expertise and recommendations aimed at improving CBO's studies, analyses, and cost estimates concerning health care issues and policies.