The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) with emphasis on the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB):  Memo to Subscribers & Followers of www.politicsofhealthcare.com   The hot-button issue in healthcare this week is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare to some.  Within the text of the ACA is an item known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The IPAB is the section of the law that will allow unelected appointees to overrule treatment decisions made by our personal physicians. The IPAB is empowered by Sections 3403 and 10320 of the ACA. This writer has found large enough fault with the IPAB to have called for its repeal regardless of whatever fate befalls the rest of the ACA. The fate of the ACA is likely to be decided on November 6th -- President Obama wants to keep the ACA as is, Governor Romney wants to repeal the whole thing. Check out our posts on this topic, e.g., January 18, 2011; June 29, 2012; October 4, 2012; and October 20, 2012 (this last one updated on October 29, 2012). When you check out the posts of 1/18/11, 6/29/12, and 10/20/12 you'll see reprints of my comments in POLITICO. Click on the box to enlarge the print to read the comments. Let me know what you think by commenting directly on-line at www.politicsofhealthcare.com (we do not sell, rent, or share your e-mail addresses with others.  Your comment will be considered for publication unless you ask us not to publish). -- RLW, Ed.