Posted on 08/01/2009 9:27:11 PM PDT by Steelfish
Congress' own healthcare benefits: Membership has its privileges
Lawmakers can choose among several plans and get special treatment at federal medical facilities. In 2008, taxpayers spent about $15 billion to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents.
Mark Z. Barabak and Faye Fiore
August 2, 2009
Too much, too fast, too expensive. Those are some of the objections lawmakers have voiced against the healthcare overhaul Democrats are attempting on Capitol Hill.
But many Americans think Congress is out of touch. How, they wonder, can lawmakers empathize with the underinsured or those lacking insurance when they receive a benefits package -- heavily subsidized by taxpayers -- that most of us can only envy?
Among the advantages: a choice of 10 healthcare plans that provide access to a national network of doctors, as well as several HMOs that serve each member's home state. By contrast, 85% of private companies offering health coverage provide their employees one type of plan -- take it or leave it.
Lawmakers also get special treatment at Washington's federal medical facilities and, for a few hundred dollars a month, access to their own pharmacy and doctors, nurses and medical technicians standing by in an office conveniently located between the House and Senate chambers.
In all, taxpayers spent about $15 billion last year to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents, including postal service employees, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
Generous plans are available in private industry. But the federal coverage far surpasses that enjoyed by 70 million Americans who are underinsured and at financial risk in the event of a major health crisis -- not to mention the estimated 46 million who have no medical insurance.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
This figures to $1,765 per individual. I pay over $20,000 for a family of four. What's the gripe?
What I want to know is....do Congress Critters over 65 HAVE to make MEDICARE their PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER????
This has broad, bi-partisan, and gut-level, appeal.
I foresee big demonstrations re this before the final congressional votes.
It also is a SUPER campaign issue for congress and pres elections!
Annnd, it's entirely doable.
.
“Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) sponsored an amendment requiring members of Congress to forgo their current health coverage and enroll in any government plan they pass to compete with private insurers.”
They should be forced to suffer under what they cast down upon their subjects.
The fact that these f***king scumbags are exempting themselves is worthy of bloody revolt.
This is tyranny on wheels.
Not hardly, they have their own private medical staff stationed between the House and Senate chambers. Medicare would NOT pay for that.
The plan most favored by federal workers is Blue Cross Blue Shield, which covers a family for about $1,030 a month. Taxpayers kick in $700, and employees pay the rest. Seeing a doctor costs $20. Generic prescriptions cost $10. Immunizations are free. There is no coverage limit.
This needs to get out to the general sheeple. 15 BILLION for them??? So we should ALL be federal employees, right??? Obama has taken over the banks are they going to claim elibility as federal employees??? Obamacare will make all doctors, nurses and hospital staff federal employees when he takes over health care. So we, as a nation of federal employees should DEMAND this Cadillac coverage provided by their personal demon insurance companies.
The Politburo must get their special privileges.
Let's make them give up this perk! They should be required to do as the rest of America does...WAIT IN LINE!!!
Who do they think they are? They certainly have plenty of time on their hands since they do very little work for their constituents!
They can drive across town like the rest of us to the doctor's office. They can wait at the pharmacy like everyone else too!
"The plan most favored by federal workers is Blue Cross Blue Shield, which covers a family for about $1,030 a month. Taxpayers kick in $700, and employees pay the rest. Seeing a doctor costs $20. Generic prescriptions cost $10. Immunizations are free. There is no coverage limit."
No coverage limit? Does this mean we on the private side are subsidzing a federal mandate for federal employees? Is thi why I pay more than $20,000? Any insurance specialists here care to comment?
According to this we already pay over 2/3 of their monthly premium.
I need to get a job with the government.
Omg, I hate these greedy f**ktards.
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