Senator Demint receives publicly funded health care, why not US?!

[mzmolly]

Representatives and Senators alike receive some of the best health care benefits in the country, much of it paid for with taxpayer dollars. Yet these same members seem unable - or unwilling - to extend similar protections to the rest of America.

As soon as members of Congress are sworn in, they may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The program offers an assortment of health plans from which to choose, including fee-for-service, point-of-service, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). In addition, Congress members can also insure their spouses and their dependents.

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.

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.

http://public-healthcare-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/health_care_for_the_us_congress">Read more...

"The Gang of Six" and the remainder of Republicans in office who refuse to support the President on health care, need to put their money where their mouth is. They should buy their own damn health insurance, on the open market and stop accepting "socialized" health care. Senator Demint, let's start with you!

[ejpoeta]

1. this is why i think that any congress member who opposes health care reform

or a public option should be asked before they can say anything else.... how much do you pay for health insurance... what is your copays??? How much do taxpayers pay towards your insurance??? and why is it ok for YOU but not for the rest of us!!

[mzmolly]

2. I agree.

It's beyond maddening.

[mzmolly]

3. "If You Don't Want the Public Option, Get the Hell Out of the Way"

Posting a great article on this subject from Bob Cesca: HUFFPO

SNIP ---

Please explain, conservatives and wingnuts, why you wouldn't seriously consider switching to the public option if it turned out to be more affordable and portable from job to job -- not to mention the fact that you wouldn't be turned down for a preexisting condition; you wouldn't be randomly booted from the plan as soon as you needed it most; and you would never have to worry about health insurance coverage ever again. Employed or unemployed. Sick or healthy.

I find it hard to believe that you, Mr. and Mrs. Wingnut, would defiantly pay more for less reliable insurance if offered a better deal. To pay more for less would be outstandingly backwards. Palin backwards. "Quitter" equals "fighter" backwards.

The fact remains that the only downside to the public option is that it's just too awesome. We don't deserve anything that good. Simply put: it's Medicare, but for anyone who wants it. And this is somehow a nightmare scenario -- one that we must never be allowed to experience even though it would cost much less than our current system, it would cover everyone who wants it, and it would be accountable to the American people. This is somehow a terrible idea. Terrible to the private health insurance mafia, that is. They simply can't allow you to have an affordable public option because they need your financial support. Face it, $1.4 million a day to lobby members of Congress isn't cheap.

The "it's too awesome for your own good" argument was the one we heard from both Republicans and centrist Blue Dog Democrats for several months recently. But now it's back to the good old fashioned socialized-healthcare-is-awful frame, most notably trotted out by Republican minority leader and Deep Space Nine shapeshifter Mitch McConnell, who has been peppering his floor speeches with the tear-jerking story of the one person from Canada who doesn't like her free and universal healthcare.

[ThirdWorldJohn]

4. It is also protected coverage which means that the doctor is paid for any service he deems necessary

and the patient is never turned away for any reason.
It is also one of the reasons that insurance costs are so high.

[mzmolly]

5. Wow.

I was not aware of this. Thanks for the info TWJ. :hi:

[mzmolly]

6. "unrecommended?"

Interesting. ;)

[mzmolly]

7. .

What the heck :kick: