Members of Congress and Obamacare

Last week, I visited Young, Throckmorton, Shackelford, Taylor, Stephens, Fisher, and Jones Counties to meet with constituents and talk about what’s on your minds. In many conversations I’ve had, one question has come up: “Congressman, why are you exempt from Obamacare when the rest of us aren’t?” I’d like to answer that question.

The short answer is that I’m not exempt. Members of Congress and staffs are subject to this law, just like everyone else. But like everything else about Obamacare, there’s a lot of confusion around this issue.

Today, Members of Congress and staffers get health coverage through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. This same program covers all federal workers, including someone answering the phones at Social Security offices and park rangers at national parks. The federal government offers plans that federal employees can choose from, and like many employers, contributes towards the premiums. The rest of the premiums are paid with a payroll deduction each month.

Obamacare requires Members of Congress and employees to take part in the new healthcare exchanges. So while all other federal government employees (including the President’s political appointees) will stay on the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, beginning on January 1st, we are no longer eligible for this coverage. Instead, we will be required to go to the healthcare exchanges created by Obamacare and pick from the options available there. There will still be an employer contribution towards those premiums, however, and that’s been the source of confusion.

I think the number of questions about this issue illustrates just how confusing the new health care law is for all Americans. Additionally, the Obama Administration has been granting exemptions and carve-outs from the law, which rubs people the wrong way. Most people don’t want the government this involved in their health care, and they certainly don’t want them picking winners and losers. I’m working to defund and repeal the law so we can work on more commonsense health care solutions.