Lawmakers: We'll Pass Obamacare To Find Out What's In It And Then Exempt Ourselves From Parts Of It
Shockingly, lawmakers and their aides want a different standard of healthcare and health cost than they're forcing on the rest of us -- they're trying to exempt themselves from some of the "Affordable Care Act," write John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman at Politico:
There is concern in some quarters that the provision requiring lawmakers and staffers to join the exchanges, if it isn't revised, could lead to a "brain drain" on Capitol Hill, as several sources close to the talks put it.The problem stems from whether members and aides set to enter the exchanges would have their health insurance premiums subsidized by their employer -- in this case, the federal government. If not, aides and lawmakers in both parties fear that staffers -- especially low-paid junior aides -- could be hit with thousands of dollars in new health care costs, prompting them to seek jobs elsewhere. Older, more senior staffers could also retire or jump to the private sector rather than face a big financial penalty.
Plus, lawmakers -- especially those with long careers in public service and smaller bank accounts -- are also concerned about the hit to their own wallets.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is worried about the provision. The No. 2 House Democrat has personally raised the issue with Boehner and other party leaders, sources said.
"Mr. Hoyer is looking at this policy, like all other policies in the Affordable Care Act, to ensure they're being implemented in a way that's workable for everyone, including members and staff," said Katie Grant, Hoyer's communications director.
Several proposals have been submitted to the Office of Personnel Management, which will administer the benefits. One proposal exempts lawmakers and aides; the other exempts aides alone.
Hilariously, somebody in the comments at Politico seems to have just woken up. "Simple" writes:
If they exempt themselves, this will no longer be a legitimate government.
There is concern in some quarters that the provision requiring lawmakers and staffers to join the exchanges, if it isn't revised, could lead to a "brain drain" on Capitol Hill, as several sources close to the talks put it.
There are no brains to drain.
Jim P. at April 25, 2013 5:22 AM
Do you suppose this means they should have read the bill before they voted on it?
Do you suppose what won't work for them won't work for the rest of the country?
Most people would admit their mistake and correct it. Congress is not up to most people's standards.
MarkD at April 25, 2013 5:45 AM
", lawmakers -- especially those with long careers in public service and smaller bank accounts "
Sorry, those who have long careers have huge bank accounts.
Joe J at April 25, 2013 6:52 AM
""Mr. Hoyer is looking at this policy, like all other policies in the Affordable Care Act, to ensure they're being implemented in a way that's workable for everyone, including members and staff," said Katie Grant, Hoyer's communications director."
What complete B.S.
JFP at April 25, 2013 7:13 AM
gee, Beav... MAYBE YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM MORE TO BE COMPETITIVE.
This would be the way it works in the "outside world" which is a veddy scarrey place.
Is this an unintended consequence? who'da thunk it?
SwissArmyD at April 25, 2013 9:20 AM
We'll be France. All bureaucrats will come from the same social class, the same education and do the same work. Ruled by our betters for our own good.
KateC at April 25, 2013 10:10 AM
If they exempt themselves, this will no longer be a legitimate government.
Ummm, duh? but where have you been "Simple"? they've been exempting themselves from much of the legislation they impose upon us for years, decades probably.
They're not part of Social Security, for instance. They have their own retirement package.
But I'm pretty sure "Simple" voted for his/her current representation...brings home the pork for his district/state. Keeps the serfs happy.
I R A Darth Aggie at April 25, 2013 10:55 AM
There is concern in some quarters that the provision requiring lawmakers and staffers to join the exchanges, if it isn't revised, could lead to a "brain drain" on Capitol Hill
I'll echo JimP - hard to drain an empty pond.
Grey Ghost at April 25, 2013 12:16 PM
New Hampshire Rep. Stella Tremblay, R-Auburn, refuses to back down from her suggestion that the US government could be behind the Boston bombings.
http://www.wcvb.com/news/politics/state-rep-stella-tremblay-stands-by-boston-marathon-bombing-conspiracy-comments/-/9848766/19884498/-/jr9k6t/-/index.html
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at April 25, 2013 1:58 PM
They're less concerned about the hit to their constituents' wallets.
=========================
Joe Liebermand: "I can see my wife and I think she's saying, 'I think he should go out into the private sector.'"
Dick Cheney: "I'll try to help you do that, Joe."
Philosophers: "You’ll have a national Philosopher’s strike on your hands!"
Deep Thought: "And who will that inconvenience?"
I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is "needed" before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' "interests," I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can.
~ Barry Goldwater (The Conscience of a Conservative)
Conan the Grammarian at April 25, 2013 2:47 PM
Conan the Grammarian: "I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient..."
Amen! The more government intrudes into areas where it does not belong, the more inefficient and ineffective I wish it to be. I want government to be small and less powerful.
Also - everything else Conan said above.
Ken R at April 25, 2013 5:08 PM
That was actually Barry Goldwater in his landmark book, The Conscience of a Conservative.
Conan the Grammarian at April 25, 2013 5:42 PM
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