The issue
I’m From the Government…I’m Here to Help. A constituent asked Rep. Cynthia Axne of Iowa: Why can’t citizens receive the same health insurance as Congress? The Rep. responded saying she was not satisfied with her Obamacare plan. While in congress she receives her healthcare through Obamacare. Here’s the exchange:
“There’s a lot of talk about health care reform and our national health care system. Why do we not just get what you get and go on with life?” the constituent asked in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
“First and foremost, you really don’t want what I have, because I don’t get good insurance… It’s okay insurance. Just so you know, congress people, we have to purchase from the ACA [Affordable Care Act], we purchase from the network…. My staff’s insurance is way better than mine… So I would want better insurance quite honestly for people than what I have.” Axne responded.
Perspective
Members of Congress are legally required to subscribe to a gold-tier health insurance plan. They get it on the exchanges enacted by Obamacare. The federal government provides a subsidy for members of Congress. The subsidy covers about 75% of the premiums.
For a fee members can add routine exams and consultations from the attending physician in the U.S. Capitol building. Congressmen can also receive free emergency medical and dental care at military treatment facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. This benefit does not extend to staff or family members.
Let’s think about this exchange. The Congress Woman does not like her healthcare. Even though you subsidize 75% of her health insurance she does not see it as a value. Yet she supports it for others. Her party imposed the healthcare system on the nation. If it is not a good value why would they do it in the first place and why continue supporting it? Doesn’t this sure seem like “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Conclusion
The Congress Woman envies her staff’s healthcare. Why does she not want her constituents to have what her staff has? Her party forced individuals and small businesses off their private health insurance. Her party started the mess because it was envious. It screwed over about a third of Americans in imposing that largest tax hike in the history of the nation, Obamacare. Now they want to help the rest of America. I’m from the government; I’m here to help.