Some Republicans embrace their federal health plans

[Joanne98]

Source: The Hill

Some new Republican lawmakers are embracing the government-sponsored healthcare that comes with their new jobs, as Democrats have sought to make an issue of it.

At least two new GOP members of Congress said they'll keep the plans that some of their colleagues have shunned.

Rep. Joe Heck's (R-Nev.) office and Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) said they'll take advantage to the insurance coverage they're eligible for through the Federal Employees Health Benefits program -- the same health insurance available to other federal employees. The plan is not a single-payer system, but offers different private plans from which federal employees can choose.

“What am I, not supposed to have health care?” Grimm told the New York Daily News. “It’s practicality. I’m not going to become a burden for the state because I don’t have health care, and God forbid I get into an accident and I can’t afford the operation."



Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/136569-some-republicans-embrace-their-federal-health-plans

[chelsea0011]

1. Is Grimm an idiot?

And from what I have learned, it isn't just many plans available, but how little they have to contribute to pay for them. Grimm and heck can have it, but how about paying a fair amount for the plans? Or is that just too crazy?

[elleng]

5. We (Fed 'ees/spouses) DO pay a fair amount for the plans,

premium amount varies with the chosen plan, and the govt ('er) pays a good subsidy, similar to many health ins plans provided by employers.

Read all about it:

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/

[ellenfl]

7. it doesn't look like a cost saving plan to me.

i was paying $700/mo for an individual plan in the free market, which is what we pay for our congress critters' coverage. of course, that is the whole premium, not what the critters pay, and mine was not paid in pre-tax dollars. i probably could have kept that insurance if it had been tax deductible but non-employer-provided health insurance is paid in taxed dollars. being able to take my medical expenses, including premiums, off the top of my wages would have been a huge help.

ellen fl

[CreekDog]

13. i thought they pay 28% of the full premium --on policies that exclude dental and vision

that's a bigger share of the overall premium than most employees of large companies and state/local governments pay.

what percentage would you have them pay?

[wilt the stilt]

2. like 50 million americans who don't have any insurance

All representatives should have to give up their insurance and go buy it in the open market. They would be quite a lesson.

[dotymed]

3. Especially, the "free-market"

cheerleaders. They should have to rely on said market for benefits, too. Give them a stipend equal to the cheap rates paid and let them support that "less government", unencumbered free market.

[KeepItReal]

4. Yes they should have to buy individual plans and deal with rate increases

Co-pays, deductibles and denials of coverage that the average American who is not on a corporate or government-sponsored group insurance plan deals with.

[wilt the stilt]

6. I bought my own insurance for 6 years

the Insurance company plan is too price it so high in the individual market is that all you are left with is catastrophic insurance. In other words no claims.

[ellenfl]

8. exactly . . . especially if you are older. eom

[elleng]

9. FYI, 'we' do deal with rate increases, co-pays and deductibles, like everyone else.

and we (Fed 'ees/spouses) select our plans based on 'denials,' among other things.

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/

[KeepItReal]

11. Yes, but you have the Federal Government administering your group plans

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/faq/standards.asp

Individuals like me do not.

Here in CA, our insurance commish just stated he has no authority to prevent Blue Cross' up to 59% fee hikes on individual policy holders.

[elleng]

14. Feds don't 'administer,' they negotiate w ### private carriers,

each of which administers its own.

Its a very good deal, tho, as big elephant in the 'room' has clout to insist on terms for us.

Don't understand States commish's authorities; wish I did. They sure should have and exercise power, imo.

[Doctor_J]

10. These are the filthiest of the cesspool that is the republican party

Complete waste of oxygen and cytoplasm.

[katnapped]

12. Wow what an ass...

“What am I, not supposed to have health care?” Grimm told the New York Daily News. “It’s practicality. I’m not going to become a burden for the state because I don’t have health care, and God forbid I get into an accident and I can’t afford the operation."

But hey, the rest of us can do without I guess...

[area51]

15. Q: “What am I, not supposed to have health care?”

A: YES.

Suck on it. Join the 273 people who die per day due to lack of health care.