Rep. Phil Gingrey, Georgia Republican, introduced a bill Tuesday that would reverse the Obama administration’s decision to let members of Congress and their staffs retain an employer subsidy that will pay for the lion’s share of their health premiums even as they enter new health exchanges tied to Obamacare.
Mr. Gingrey is part of a large chorus of Republican critics who say the Office of Personnel Management decided to “exempt” Congress from the brunt of the Affordable Care Act, since everyday Americans on the exchanges can only get less generous subsidies and no employer-based help.
“This is yet another example of the Obama administration changing the law for political gain,” Mr. Gingrey said. “This carve-out is unfair to the American people and must be reversed.”
The situation was created by an amendment to the health care law that forced lawmakers and staff to experience the state-by-state insurance markets they established as part of the law 2010 law, even though the exchanges were designed for people without employer-based insurance.
Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Republican, is leading the fight in the Senate to roll back the special treatment for employees on Capitol Hill.
He and Rep. Ron DeSantis, Florida Republican, planned a press conference for Tuesday to rally support for their efforts.
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The move comes as House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, and his top lieutenants assert pressure on the Democrat-controlled Senate to hold a vote on defunding the health care law before Congress reaches a deal on how to fund the federal government past Oct. 1.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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