The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Wednesday voted 17-5 to pass a bill (HR 452) that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a 15-member panel created by the federal health reform law to make cost-cutting recommendations in Medicare.

The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee is scheduled to consider a similar bill this week. Once the legislation passes through the full committees, it will be introduced on the House floor, where it is expected to pass. However, it is unclear whether the bill can pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate.