I try to avoid political issues in my blogging. And it is not my intent in this blog either. However, I do want to be sure we are all aware of something that is afoot in Congress that we should all be aware of in the interest of fairness … not politics.
With two months left before ObamaCare takes effect, it has quietly become evident that the House and Senate members and staffers are scrambling to come up with some way of opting out of the mandatory insurance coverage in ObamaCare. They are currently covered by the Federal Employees Health Plan, which pays for all their medical care. However, as part of the final negotiations the Republicans put an amendment into the ObamaCare bill requiring all members and Congressional staff to enroll in the insurance exchanges for their coverage.
That means that Senators, Congressmen, and staff will have to pay the premiums themselves (about $5,000 for an individual and $15,000 for a family) like all of us. They would be eligible for subsidies but only if they make less than $80,000 (and most don’t make less) and only after they pay 10% of their total income for health insurance.
Now they are squawking about having to follow the same rules the rest of us will have to follow because of the bill they passed!
It might also be noted that Congressional staffers already get their student loans paid as part of the perks of the job.
Please let your Senators and Congressmen know your position on this important and fair matter. If they think its good enough for us, then it’s good enough for them too! Whether they are Democrat or Republican.
Comments are welcome.
© Phil Hoffman 2013. All rights reserved
I Am Phil Hoffman 