(Senator) Grassley: White House Staff Should Enroll in Exchanges

[sabra]

Source: NY Times

Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, said on Monday that he would propose legislation requiring President Obama and White House officials to obtain their health insurance through the new government exchanges that will be established under the health care bill that Mr. Obama is planning to sign on Tuesday.

Mr. Grassley succeeded in winning adoption of an amendment to the Senate bill that would require members of Congress and their staffs to obtain insurance through the new exchanges, rather than through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program that they currently use.

“It’s pretty unbelievable that the president and his closest advisors remain untouched by the reforms they pushed for the rest of the country,” Mr. Grassley said in a statement. “In other words, President Obama’s health care reform won’t apply to President Obama.”

He added, “There’s no justification for the double standard, and I’ll continue to work to establish fairness.”

Read more: http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/grassley-white-house-staff-should-enroll-in-exchanges/

[ixion]

1. Yeah, I'd be all for the entire federal government having to do that

it would be a very fitting sort of justice.

[hughee99]

5. As much as I don't like Grassley, and hope anything he proposes fails...

What's the problem? The exchanges are supposed to provide good health care at reasonable costs, aren't they? Does anyone oppose good health care for government employees?

[icee]

27. I really don't see what difference it would make. If Obama signed

up for health insurance on the exchange, he will still get whatever he wants from the insurance--because he is President. Now if Granny Doe signs up on the exchange, she will be treated slightly to majorly different. That's simply the way it is. People in our society are not always treated the same at Doctor's offices. To do this, Obama's doctor would have to be registered with the exchange's IP.

[whats_a_zip]

53. It could make a difference to others.

It wouldn't make a difference for Obama, or Biden, or even Pelosi.
But it WOULD make a difference for the average Congressperson and their staff.

[icee]

59. Not even at that level. Below that, I'll go along with your answer.

[leftstreet]

29. +1

[Abq_Sarah]

43. One of the arguments

Was that we will finally get the same coverage that Congress receives. So why not put all federal employees into the system?

[mod mom]

11. great idea. It would be the fastest way to correct problems w/in the system.

[CreekDog]

12. Federal Employees do something very similar already

Read about Federal Employees Health Benefits.

[elleng]

34. EXACTLY, that's what I was going to write, and may do so to grassley.

damn the repugs! (and I haven't said that very often, but I suspect they're going to be REALLLLLY obnoxious now.

[Cha]

60. Fucking grassley is just grandstanding llike the hypocrite

he is..he's already taking credit for contributing to the HCR in a press release today.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x244651

[bertman]

13. Second hughee's idea!!

[alfredo]

17. The exchanges are similar to the FEHB. Both have several

insurance companies with similar plans, compete for our business. They also have to conduct themselves ethically or will be kicked out of the pool. I bet it is the FEHB repackaged with a different name.

[LibDemAlways]

24. It would be interesting watching them trying to squirm out of it, wouldn't it?

[awoke_in_2003]

28. Most of them up there...

have more than enough money to afford it.

[elleng]

35. That's what 'we' govt employees do, already, fyi.

We are all members of a very large 'exchange,' and it works very well.

[grantcart]

39. and it is run by the OPM which will be running the exchanges

[elleng]

45. I fergit; IS it OPM?

At least, a separate office, and they'll need to increase their employee base to run 'new' exchanges, I expect.

[grantcart]

47. Yes OPM

and no they won't have to have a huge increase - they already do the same function for federal employees.

Here is the link to the exchanges they already have for federal employees http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/search/plansearch.aspx

[elleng]

49. Thanks, never looked at it that way.

I was a fed ée, still married to one, so have used fehb for 30+ years.

[grantcart]

52. So you must be CSRS?

[elleng]

58. Yes, I'm an 'old' retiree, doing ok.

[alfredo]

63. I belong to the FEHB trough my union. I'm retired but I

am still able to participate.

[alfredo]

62. The Federal Employee Health Benefit plan is what one

could consider an exchange. Most likely the exchanges were modelled after the FEHB.

[Bozita]

2. They ought to put lifetime limits on farm subsidies. Just like welfare.

Charles Grassley and his family are welfare queens.

[Arkana]

3. Really Mr. Grassley?

Aren't you the same scumfuck who told someone that they'd have to work in a government job to get the same insurance as government officials get?

Fuck off, go to hell, and go fuck yourself.

[Supersedeas]

61. that sums it up for me too

[quiet.american]

4. Pure busywork. This is going to backfire on Grassley like everything else the GOP has tried.

What an idiot.

[BunkerHill24]

6. Fools like Grassley is why I support term limits. n/t

[Moosepoop]

7. I guess Grassley opposes the idea that

"If you like the health insurance you already have, you can keep it."

Will he insist that all citizens give up the insurance they already have, even if they like it?

[kestrel91316]

8. Uh, Chuckie, the president doesn't have a medical insurance policy per se,

he simply has a doctor on staff and free access to medical care at government facilities as a perk of the job, which can be quite dangerous and occasionally result in death.

You want him to have to pay premiums and make appointments and such WHILE HE IS PRESIDENT???

[saracat]

23. Yes. And he does make appointments. Usually the Prez goes to Walter Reed.

I would imagine he doesn't have to "wait" for an appointment and there is a Doctor on the WH staff but he should still have to pay premiums and be covered like the rest of us. He will still receive special attention.

[northzax]

66. actually, usually he goes to Bethesda Naval for anything more serious than a regular visit

there's not a lot of traditional medicine that goes on at Walter Reed anymore, it's more of a rehab facility for wounded soldiers. There is a basic medical clinic inside the White House, with at least five doctors on staff (a civilian in charge and four military docs, one from each branch) for anything that your local doctor's office can't handle, Bethesda Naval is right up the road.

and no, he shouldn't have to pay premiums for himself (perhaps his family) the President's health is quite literally a matter of national security. Just as active duty military personnel don't pay premiums for TriCare, neither should the President.

[SoapBox]

9. What a jackass...

Mr. GrASSley, you piss me off and I hate you.

There...said it!

[dhill926]

10. perhaps all Americans could instead have.....

the same access to healthcare as Mr. Grassley.....

[Robb]

14. Indeed. nt

[Optimistic]

15. I agree, but in addition

All elected officials should have that, also they should give up their pensions and only get Social Security, All the retired politicians should have to pay back all the money they got in pensions too.

[The Wizard]

16. Hey Chuck

Eat shit and bark at the Moon.

[Plucketeer]

26. I thought he already did such!

Grassley's just ONE MORE corporate shill. Nothing more - nothing less. :dunce:

[LiberalFighter]

18. Isn't there federal law that prohibits reducing or increasing the President's salary

and other benefits during their term of office?

[Dappleganger]

19. As long as they raise their co-pays to what

everybody else has, too.

[Itchinjim]

20. Once again this Iowan must say:

Fuck Chuck.
Sorry about him and Steve King everybody. They really are not a good representation of the majority of Iowans

[Q3JR4]

21. Huh. This is interesting...

Mr. Grassley succeeded in winning adoption of an amendment to the Senate bill that would require members of Congress and their staffs to obtain insurance through the new exchanges, rather than through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program that they currently use.

Is that amendment now the law of the land with the house vote?

Q3JR4.

[Q3JR4]

25. Call me crazy but

that makes me a bit more optimistic. Too bad we have to wait 4 years for them to come online...

Q3JR4.

[Moosepoop]

30. Not crazy at all.

Apparently even Grassley sees the exchanges as a better deal than he has now, since he insisted on switching to them himself if the legislation were to pass. :)

[saracat]

22. I actually like this idea.Why shouldn't they be required to join?

[madrchsod]

31. once again chuckles the clown proves he has shit for brains

federal employees have a choice unlike the people who have employer insurance or no insurance at all.

[Psephos]

48. The point is there shouldn't be one set of laws for government and another for plebes. n/t

[Lost-in-FL]

32. Wasting time in such petty resolutions. What a f____ng shame! nt

[FarLeftFist]

33. Chuck 'Death Panels' Grassley?

[Matariki]

36. I'm agreeing w/ a Republican. Weird. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

37. Well I would hope the next time Mr. Grassley and his ilk vote for a war

They will either enlist or send their children to fight as well. If he's concerned about people not being touched by the reforms and policies they advocated and pass. That sounds right to me.

[nightrain]

38. knr. and they should have to pay for all costs out of pocket, as if

they were buying an individual plan. Fair is fair.

[grantcart]

40. What an idiot - they are

1)The exchanges will be run by OPM which does the same for Federal Employees

q) Part IV of subtitle D of title I of this Act is
19 amended by adding at the end the following:
20 ‘‘SEC. 1334. MULTI-STATE PLANS.
21 ‘‘(a) OVERSIGHT BY THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
22 MANAGEMENT.—
23 ‘‘ (1) IN GENERAL.— The Director of the Office
24 of Personnel Management (referred to in this section
25 as the ‘Director’) shall enter into contracts with

snip

7 (at) least 2 multi-State qualified health plans through
8 each Exchange in each State. Such plans shall pro9
vide individual, or in the case of small employers,
10 group coverage.



2) This is what their exchange, run by the OPM does


http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/search/plansearch.aspx


Its just unbelievable that this guy was involved in the negotiations for months.

He doesn't understand even the basics of the bill.

A complete idiot.

[Jennicut]

55. No one ever accused Grassley of being all that bright. Besides, Obama

has plenty of money. It wouldn't effect him no matter what in any way. It is a complete waste of time.

[Zoeisright]

41. You first, douchebag.

It's pretty unbelievable that Mr. Assley (sic) remains untouched by the PROBLEMS he INSISTs remain in place with absolutely no solution for 45,000 Americans.

[Blacksheep214]

42. You don't suppose

the POTUS would have free medical as a perc of the job?

Grassley is a dick who scares older citizens.

What type of jerk keeps voting for this turd?

[No Elephants]

44. Why is anyone at the NYT paying attention to drivel like this?

Every time a Republican farts, it gets more media coverage than the two plus wars* in which America's sons and daughters are currently engaged.

When did our nation's priorities get this upside down? And why do we get caught up in it, instead of putting a stop to it?



*O.k., technically, they are not wars, but people still die and get injured every week, and they still cost a frickin' fortune, no matter what they are technically.

[martymar64]

46. Martymar1964: Chuck Grassley should go fuck himself.

[TomCADem]

50. Grassly Should Drop His Federal Healthcare. Put His Money Where His Mouth Is....

Also, as Grassley knows, the exchanges won't be in effect until 2014.

[defendandprotect]

51. Agree ... every Ameican should have the same health care . . .

no INCOME TESTING, no RISK POOLS -- just preventive care and necessary care.

I'm also encouraged that this bill is doing more to bring preventive care to America

without extra charge to the patient.

[wordpix]

54. first thing I've agreed with Grassley on, ever---all of Congress, WH staff, POTUS, SCOTUS, etc.

should have the same health care we do.

[Jennicut]

56. But they won't. They, on average, make way more money then we do and Grassley knows this.

It would not effect them in any way. The Senate is made up of tons of millionaires. A change in the way the exchanges are run for their health plans is not going to hurt a millionaire. Or someone making six figures. It is a political gimmick.

[northzax]

67. true, but their staff, as a general rule, aren't

and it's the staff who really run the show.

[DatManFromNawlins]

57. Even if they made that change

They STILL wouldn't have the same health care we do.

The master stroke of this entire mess was that the politicians were able to conflate health care and health insurance.

Quality health care is and will continue to be too expensive for the average American.

[fascisthunter]

64. Grassley should do so as well

[City Lights]

65. Why stop there, Chuckles?

If it's good enough for us, it's good enough for ALL federal employees.