Rep. Nancy Pelosi has issued a statement clarifying that all members of Congress and their staff will be required to enroll in the state-run health care exchanges established under Obamacare, Cox Radio reporter Jamie Dupree is reporting tonight.
The New York Times reported Monday that legislators were becoming increasingly anxious about the cost of insuring themselves through the new state exchanges. They’re finding out what’s in Obamacare, and they’re not liking it either.
Under a wrinkle that dates back to enactment of the law, members of Congress and thousands of their aides are required to get their coverage through new state-based markets known as insurance exchanges.
But the law does not provide any obvious way for the federal government to continue paying its share of the premiums for the comprehensive coverage.
If the government cannot do so, it could mean an additional expense of $5,000 a year for individuals and $11,000 for families under some of the most popular plans.
That statement comes amid reports that Members & their staffs will still get health subsidies from Uncle Sam
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) August 2, 2013
https://twitter.com/notalemming/status/363121749015396352
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Update:
Politico gives some insight into what made Pelosi so confident in declaring that members of Congress and their staffs must enroll in the exchanges:
The Office of Personnel Management, under heavy pressure from Capitol Hill, will issue a ruling that says the government can continue to make a contribution to the health care premiums of members of Congress and their aides, according to several Hill sources.
That prompted Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to declare the arrangement an “outrageous exemption.”
Outrageous exemption for Congress: Capitol Hill's Obamacare crisis solved via @POLITICO for iPhone http://t.co/3Nt7Nr0z6P
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) August 2, 2013
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