If you hate Obamacare, give up your Congressional health insurance
I will admit to a grudging admiration for the sheer gall of so many ultra-conservative Republicans. They lie without shame. They put the pursuit of power ahead of the national interest. And their hypocrisy is stunning.
Take Andy Harris, a newly minted Republican Congressman from Maryland. Harris, a physician, defeated a freshman Democrat by running a campaign almost entirely about repealing “Obamacare.” But Monday, in an orientation session for new legislators, he was furious to learn that his taxpayer-subsidized health insurance wouldn’t start immediately. From Politico:
Republican Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist who defeated freshman Democrat Frank Kratovil on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, reacted incredulously when informed that federal law mandated that his government-subsidized health care policy would take effect on Feb. 1 – 28 days after his Jan. 3rd swearing-in.
“He stood up and asked the two ladies who were answering questions why it had to take so long, what he would do without 28 days of health care,” said a congressional staffer who saw the exchange. The benefits session, held behind closed doors, drew about 250 freshman members, staffers and family members to the Capitol Visitors Center auditorium late Monday morning,”.“Harris then asked if he could purchase insurance from the government to cover the gap,” added the aide, who was struck by the similarity to Harris’s request and the public option he denounced as a gateway to socialized medicine.
Harris, a Maryland state senator who works at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and several hospitals on the Eastern Shore, also told the audience, “This is the only employer I’ve ever worked for where you don’t get coverage the first day you are employed,” his spokeswoman Anna Nix told POLITICO.
Under COBRA law, Harris can pay a premium to extend his current health insurance an additional month.
Members of Congress receive some of the best health care in the country, and taxpayers pay MOST OF THE PREMIUM. (If that ain’t socialism, I don’t know what is.):
Not only does Congress get to choose from a wide range of plans, but there’s no waiting period. Unlike many Americans who must struggle against precondition clauses or are even denied coverage because of those preconditions, Senators and Representatives are covered no matter what – effective immediately. (Well, not immediately enough for Harris.)
And here’s the best part. The government pays up to 75 percent of the premium. That government, of course, is funded by taxpayers, the same taxpayers who often cannot afford health care themselves.
More Health Care Perks for CongressAnd the Congressional perks don’t stop with the FEHBP. According to the article “Health care as good as Congress gets,” by John Barry, a staff writer for the St. Petersburg Times, “Members of Congress have their own pharmacy, right in the Capitol. They also have a team of doctors, technicians and nurses standing by in case something busts in a filibuster. They can get a physical exam, an X-ray or an electrocardiogram, without leaving work.”
Although members pay extra for these services – Representatives pay about $300 per month, and Senators about $600 – taxpayers end up kicking in another $2 million. That’s $2 million not being spent on those who need it.
I don’t blame Harris for fearing the consequences of going without health insurance for a month. He’s a father of five, and he’d be irresponsible to allow that kind of lapse in coverage if he could avoid it. But lots of hardworking Americans don’t make what an anesthesiologist makes, and they couldn’t afford to buy health insurance outside the workplace.
And Harris has clearly lived in a bubble if Congress is the only employer he’s ever had that makes new employees wait until their coverage kicks in. Lots of employers do — and that’s if you are lucky enough to have an employer who provides health insurance to start with.
So, a Democratic Congressman is calling on all those Obamacare-haters in Congress to give up their health insurance:
A cadre of Democratic House members – all fierce defenders of President Obama’s health care reforms — are asking Republicans who want to repeal the law to forgo their taxpayer-subsidized health insurance out of principle.
The group, led by Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and three other progressives – responding to a POLITICO report that repeal proponent Rep.-elect Andy Harris (R-Md.) complained about a lag in his federal coverage – is circulating a letter among Democrats that would call upon Republicans to ditch their insurance, paid in part by taxpayer funds, if they are committed to rolling back Democratic reforms.
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310 comments Add your comment
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:17 pm
“This is the only employer I’ve ever worked for where you don’t get coverage the first day you are employed,”
What?
In this day and age. Talk about out of touch.
I can’t think of a single employer who offers healthcare from day one anymore.
So much for electing the best and the brightest.
Scout
November 17th, 2010
12:21 pm
Cynthia:
“Members of Congress receive some of the best health care in the country, and taxpayers pay MOST OF THE PREMIUM. (If that ain’t socialism, I don’t know what is.):”
You are starting to lose touch with reality.
What do you call a regular pay check to an FBI agent, Dept. of Agriculture worker or an E-5 in the Air Force?
Socialism?
Good grief !
Reality
November 17th, 2010
12:26 pm
Come on CT, the reason – and you know it – is because the republican motto: “Is gots mines, but we gots to cuts yours for budget reasons.”
Actually, it goes beyond that… the “Is” are wealthy enough to launch a so-called ‘news’ company to sell the idea that the wealth must get more wealthy for the future of this Country, and we must sacrifice the middle class to do it! Isn’t that what FOX news does?
Jethro
November 17th, 2010
12:26 pm
Can you say “chutzpah?”
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:27 pm
Let me fix that opening for you Cynthia!
“I will admit to a grudging admiration for the sheer gall of so many ultra-liberal Democrats. They lie without shame. They put the pursuit of power ahead of the national interest. And their hypocrisy is stunning.”
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:27 pm
billybob
really uncalled for….
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:29 pm
The new congressman actually earned a job where he will be getting that healthcare, and not getting it free like so many on Obamacare will. I know, I know, no one will be getting it free. That is complete BS!!! There WILL BE those who cant pay, and we will be footing the bill for their COMPLETE coverage!
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:31 pm
Granny,
Dems must be the ones out of touch, they are the ones who just suffered HISTORIC defeat.
billybob
November 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
Reality,
The reality is that since the dems have been in power(last 4 years) the middle class has been utterly destroyed. Sorry that doesn’t fit the Lib 101 template, and nice throw-in of Fox. I love how all the libs are now using the Obama/Chavez banana republic language of bashing the media and those who disagree. Keep talking libs, you help make the choice for people between conservative and radical(the dem party) so easy for everyone…..
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
“we will be footing the bill for their COMPLETE coverage!”
and the only difference between now and then is that we’ll be doing it in a more effective manner….and reducing the deficit.
But alas, I know this falls on partisan deaf ears….
Lawrence
November 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
Granny..
Billybob makes more sense than you do.
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:33 pm
Georgian
Interesting take.
But that leaves the not so bright new congress critter….afraid to
poke one of your own eh?
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
Lawrence
This time you took a real human name!
Troll, that’s an improvement.
ctucker
November 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
Georgian@12:29, Your notion that Obamacare is “free” goes to show how little you know about the coverage. The poor already have health insurance. It’s called Medicaid.
billybob
November 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
When have you ever disagreed with Tucker…..the truth hurts. Sorry, but I had to make the point…
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
Actually Granny,
Right now I pay for MY own plan.
Fleabyte
November 17th, 2010
12:35 pm
I think the better idea is for Mr. Crowley and his ilk to give up their insurance, and adopt the healthcare mandate that was shoved down the throats of the American people. If it’s good enough for the American public, it’s good enough for them, also.
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:35 pm
Cynthia,
Then why the need for Universal coverage. If the poor have Medicaid, everyone else should be good to go.
ctucker
November 17th, 2010
12:36 pm
Scout@12:21, Many people who get a paycheck still don’t get health insurance. You know that, don’t you? You also know that in private employment, most workers have had to pay more and more of their premiums? ARe you still working? On Medicare? Is that why you’re unaware of those things?
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:37 pm
Actually Granny,
What is so wrong with what he requested or asked? It draws no comparison to Obamacare except in your and Cynthia’s brains.
free markets are killing this country
November 17th, 2010
12:37 pm
deregulated airlines – disaster
deregulated banks – disaster
deregulated healthcare – disaster
there simply are some areas of our economy that must be governed and protected by legislation and oversight.
mg2422
November 17th, 2010
12:38 pm
There is a huge difference here. This man is asking about his health care benefits that come with his EMPLOYMENT. Obamacare would be giving government health care to people who are NOT EMPLOYED by the government. So, the distinction is actually fairly obvious. One person has earned the health care benefits by spending money, time, and hard work to win an election, whereas the other people are getting the benefits based only on their status as U.S citizens.
Chris D.
November 17th, 2010
12:38 pm
I think the more accurate demand would be…If you LOVE Obamacare, give up your Congressional Healthcare. Since the Dems in Congress exempted themselves from Obamacare.
free markets are killing this country
November 17th, 2010
12:38 pm
i employ a staff of 32, and our healthcare costs rose 24% last year. It’s killing me!
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
Georgian
So do I….still afraid to be a critic to your own side I see….
What’s wrong? His ignorance of the current state of healthcare in this nation.
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
billybob
how about this morning?
Sanjay
November 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
Yeah, but Georgian why should I have to pay for him to get health insurance? Isn’t it the conservative motto that everyone should pay their own way or just go without? What difference does it make that his job has traditionally provided for healthcare–it is still paid for by others!
free markets are killing this country
November 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
why can’t we cut down the “military welfare” that we provide to dozens of countries that pay little to nothing for the defense of their country? Do you have any idea how much money we waste/spend on policing the world?
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
“Since the Dems in Congress exempted themselves from Obamacare.”
I don’t think that is accurate
billybob
November 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
Tucker,
Obama sold the program as being free healthcare….you mean he lied in order to get people to want Obamacare and the ‘free’ stuff just to get Obamacare done? Exposed much……
Ken
November 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
Just look at governmet employees. And more is better ??? Most inefficient group of employees on earth.
thisisamazing
November 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
I cant believe the paper actually lets you write a column…we are all dumber for having read this…congrats!
Kamchak
November 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
…that was shoved down the throats…
I have found that those who complain the most about having something shoved down their throats are the same ones that will swallow just about anything.
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/Obamacare_s-facts-and-fables-are-chilling-558561-101418414.html
free markets are killing this country
November 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Obama is just following the example of his predecessor:
Free prescription drugs – George Bush’s trillion-dollar idea!
Chris D.
November 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Cynthia to your response above about people who work not “getting” healthcare…You DON’T Get anything in this life…You are supposed Pay for it! MY Healthcare premium, of which I PAY for…Is $325/month. If it is important to you will find a way to pay for it. But $325 is NOT an unaffordable amount!
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
Nice article on the “truth” of Obamacare
drinking the koolaid...
November 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
So congress had a better healthcare benefit that most before Obamacare and they still do now…your point? Oh, its that he wanted coverage day 1…yawn. The guy clearly lives in a bubble, but that is not justification to go against the will of the people that elected him. If he got elected on that platform then the people in his district expect him to try and push what they elected him to do.
And congress getting taxpayer paid benefits for healthcare? Of course they do- the federal government has some of the best benefits around and their only source of income is the taxpayer. Socialism is NOT a government giving benefits to its employees- that’s a stretch at best (Fox news caliber stretch).
hey chris d
November 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
are you self employed or is your company subsidizing your premium?
granny godzilla
November 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
ah billybob
you forgetting something?
billybob
November 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
Kamchak,
You might try a new line once in a while. your significant other may be getting upset about that one by now……
Fleabyte
November 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
“I have found that those who complain the most about having something shoved down their throats are the same ones that will swallow just about anything.”
Did you get a vote on the bill??? Do you like the bill?? Why specifically do you like the new laws that came into effect? Do the provisions that you agree with outweigh the totality of the new law??
ctucker
November 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
Georgian@12:41, I’m going to approve that Sowell rant, but it doesn’t have a darned thing to do with what is actually in the health reform law. It’s a long and mostly wrong rant about health care in Great Britain. In the U.S., even under health care reform, people will get their insurance through private companies and still choose their doctors. The doctors won’t be on the US payroll.
ctucker
November 17th, 2010
12:46 pm
No, granny@12:40, It is not
GT Man
November 17th, 2010
12:46 pm
There is a difference between paying for health insurance for elected officials and paying it for anyone who lives in the United States (whether they themselves pay taxes or not). Socialism is making all equal in a government controlled industry, i.e. paying for everyone’s healthcare. Republicanism is having a free market where government officials are paid by the people, i.e. paying for Congressmen and Congresswomen’s healthcare. Don’t blindly draw distinctions when they aren’t backed by facts, that weakens your argument and is disingenuous to boot.
BOOOo
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
“The government cannot give to anyone that which it does not take from someone first.” Anon
Representatives and Senators should have the same health care coverage as all other Federal employees. What happened to the “public servant” part of being a politician??
Scout
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
Cynthia @ 12:36
I am retired and not on Medicare.
What you want is typical left wing liberalism …………. equal outcomes for everyone ! It doen’t work.
God forbid if someone should pay less for health insurance than someone else.
Georgian
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
I dont think a doctor would be ignorant of the healthcare situation in this country Granny
Scout
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
Excuse me: “doesn’t work”
Chris D.
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
Granny, The House version of Obamacare did not exempt themselves. However the Senat bill DID. And as you recall, the Senate & House did not get together and create a bill from both versions the House PASSED the Senate Bill, and that is what Obama signed.