Congressmen get a special kind of healthcare. It comes from the private sector just like most everyone else, but there are certain rules that only applies to them, and other federal employees.

What it boils down to is that federal workers can not be denied coverage, no matter what. A federal worker could be on his death bed from a terminal illness and switch health care providers. Under the rules for federal workers, the HMO HAS TO take them.

On top of all this, health care costs are a fraction what most of the rest of the public pays.

-- Modified on 11/27/2010 4:30:28 PM

You should learn to do some research before cutting and pasting from blogs. Some new House Reps are making good on their promises. (see link)

Based on your suggestion that Obamacare will provide even close to the same coverage as present federal employee cafeteria plans proves you don’t even follow the broadest of media available information.

With all the hype about repealing Government Health Care, why not GOP Congressmen who all get Government Health Care, just get out of it and get coverage for themselves and their families in the open market?   Call Aetna, Cigna, Humana, etc., etc.,

If you preach something, then practice it.

Otherwise, you are just hypocrites.

They get salaries from govt. They can buy any healthcare they want with that salary. The only "govt healthcare" is Medicaid and Medicare.  Think, then type. You sound as ignorant as idiots who claim US troops "live off welfare" bc its taxes they get paid with.

So the only diff is cost and coverage then. Still, they aren't getting "govt healthcare" that this moron tries to portray.

and uninformed about coverages afforded to your dear and beloved republican elected officials (not saying dems don't get it). Hypocrisy is the core issue here.

Besides, they have a Hospital for use in Congress itself and can get top notch specialist to come to see them and DC has some top hospitals (wonder why) in the country.

Everyone that doesn't agree with your views are not morons.

To add to willy's comment, federal workers can choose coverage pretty much from any insurance company in the country. They are all on OPM list.

You are an idiot jerk.  If as an American you don't know let me tell you.   These Congressional Republican hypocrites get health care out of Federal Pool / Exchange that has negotiated lower rates and maximum benefit with insurance companies.   These hypocrites are not federal workers but supposed to represent people.   This is the same program that Obama wants public to get.   So, get yourself educated.

So why not tell your republican and tea party voters to get out of Medicare and Medicaid and get their own insurance in the market?   It will save the administration billions of dollars.

Talk is easy but walk is difficult.   You are all a bunch of spoiled brats who complain about the Federal Government but get the benefits like cowards.

Hypocrisy is the core? Sure. Then that makes Dems just as hypocritical, however, Ben's post made it about the GOP. Second, universal healthcare doesn't guarantee there won't be inequities. I assure you, those in power will have better medical care access and quality than us "peons" in any case. Third, Ben IS a moron.  Fed employees get insurance from private carriers. I was correct in that aspect. So no hon, save your arrogant 'tude.

Dems are not fighting to repeal the health care law.  Get your spell checker!

Dems get the very same coverage, pal. So why are only the GOP hypocrites? And since you don't live here, why do you care? Stfu and mind your own business.  Your posts are nothing more than America hating rants.

No, but they sure aren't signing up to join the average Joe concerning insurance, though, are they?

You are a dumb nut.   I know Dems get it too that they are not screaming to repeal health care law as the GOP hypocrites.   GOP does not want general public to get the same type of coverage they get from the Federal Government.

I don't live there but I like expose the hypocrisy in your country.   Wait for Wiki leaks to see the light in next 24 hours and you will know what hypocrites ruled your country 2000 - 2008.

That is two of hundreds of other GOP hypocrites.  Also it was interesting to read:

"the federal government pays more than $10,000 of the premiums of each member of Congress who has a family policy under the most selected plan" which is the subsidized Government Health Care.

Pointing out facts is not an arrogant 'tude! Universe only assures one equality and that is birth and death, that is; if you take birth you will die one day.

Your are concerned about who is right and who is wrong which is a baseless binary situation because in most cases, right and wrong is not a binary issue but somewhere in between. Ben is not a moron, pints out things that your ego would not allow you to accept.

Now I have arrogant 'tude, whatever that is!

Do you care for older parent? Have you heard about the "Donut" hole? What are you against? Requiring insurance companies to spend 80% on providing health care or taking bonuses and stock options out of poor executives?

Let me give you my personal benefits from health care:

For the first time in my 20 years of working, my health insurance rates didn't go up and I have the same coverage, less co pay and I don't have to pay for check ups.

Closing of the donut hole saves me $4,000 since, I do care for an older parent who has Alzheimer's. So, when the all the ranting is over, I am better off. Do you know the reason why my health insurance premium didn't go up? Got a reduction in my prescription and medical co-pay?

At least Dem's want rest of the people have the same opportunity other than Republican hypocrites and that's the point Ben is trying to make. Ben never said dem's didn't get or take coverage.

The best you can come up with is "America hating rants"? Why? Americans can rant against anyone they choose but no one can rant against America? This is exactly what allows snake oil sales politicians to take advantage of you and others like you. The original premise of freedom of speech and expression is to promote an intelligent citizenry and that has turned into using it to promote colossal stupidity at the hands of the few with massive following. Wee, where that gets you in few decades. One guess, China will be making high tech products and you will be making toys and shoes for the Chinese, you wouldn't get it!

It will be anti-Americanism and unpatriotic to you but, is it really?

Until then, Ron Paul turning down and refusing to discuss how much he makes from medical practice is not an example.

Yep, it is no one's business how much he makes, completely agree when he was a Doctor and not a Senator. Now when he is going against something that affects his profession and how much he may or may not loose, people have a right to know because he is a Senator and claims to be a Public Servant. May be not, Self Serving?

You are not going to get any where. All they are going to do is, change the subject faster than speeding bullet.

Someone once said:

"First they laugh at you, then they fight you then you win".

I know who that someone is and I am sure, you know who that is too.

I've been round and round with insurance companies. I couldn't get insurance bc of "pre existing conditions" like (gasp!) Heartburn and anxiety, they also claimed I had a "history" of "depression". LoL.   (My dad died 9 yrs ago today and then my bf 10 days later. Of course I was depressed, 9/11 being only a few months prior as well ) It was a situation, not a history.  Insurance companies look for reasons to reject you. Healthcare shouldn't be a luxury. Its immoral. But the idea of a govt bureaucrat deciding what healthcare I get scares me.  I don't know what the solution is.

-- Modified on 11/28/2010 9:02:50 AM