Anti-Obamacare congressman asks "where's my government health care?"

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  1. I am DB Cooper profile image87
    I am DB Cooperposted 14 years ago

    Newly-elected Congressman Andy Harris of Maryland won his election by being an outspoken critic of so-called "Obamacare". So, what was the first question he asked at freshmen orientation? Why can't I buy into government health care in advance of being sworn-in in January? He appeared to believe there would be a government program for congressmen similar to the public option Democrats tried to pass last year. Whoops.

    1. Jillian Barclay profile image70
      Jillian Barclayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      He will get his government health care soon enough. When he takes office, he and his family will get the very generous Federal Employees Plan, known as FEP for short. He will most likely choose the Blue Cross plan which I wish I had! The benefits are wonderful! Every Congressional representative who voted against the public option should be ashamed if they based their vote on not wanting a "government" plan for citizens. I  have worked in the medical insurance field for over 30 years and by far, FEP is better than any plan offered by private companies to their employees!

      My feeling: the members of Congress that are opposed to government run health care should decline coverage in FEP for themselves and their families! Check out their government run pension plan as well!

      We should all be so fortunate!

      1. Doug Hughes profile image59
        Doug Hughesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        The FEP is BCBS and a lot of other insurance companies who want a share of the big federal employee market. If you work for the federal government, you can *SELECT* from a menu of insurance company options. (Remember the Health Care Exchanges in Health Care Reform? It's the FEHP system - made available to citizens.)

        One other thing about he FEHP that major companies like BCBS fight to be a part of. The FEHP has ALWAYS prohibited discriminating on the basis of a pre-existing condition, and the participating companies are fine with that. But in the private sector, those same companies fight to be able to pick and choose their customers, and they claim they CAN'T do for the regular Joe - what they do voluntarily for employees of the federal workforce.

        And now they have teabaggers fighting tooth and nail to repeal health care reform. This deny 30 million Americans access to care - and renew provisions which will allow companies to discriminate against people who had a previous health problem. So as a mailman, should I have a better insurance plan than you? Just repeal Obamacare and I will.

      2. kerryg profile image82
        kerrygposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        Yeah, my dad just retired after more than 30 years with the Park Service and he's always had fantastic insurance. The private options are complete s*** by comparison.

        1. Jillian Barclay profile image70
          Jillian Barclayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Kerry, I am really glad that your dad has great coverage! Wish we all had access to the same thing! What I am seeing currently is a tiered-retirement system being put into play for local, state and federal govt workers. The new hires (very few because most hiring is frozen) will not get the pensions or the health coverage that your dad has. Instead of moving forward, we seem to be all too willing to step back by lessening benefits. I know, everyone says that we can't afford it, but I believe that is an excuse for the real issue.

          The real issue is that the private sector has allowed big business to reduce benefits and destroy pensions for private sector employees and now these private sector employees don't want anyone else to have benefits either! When the federal employees lose their pensions and retirement health care, then the population will figure out that military men and women can retire with a pension and family health care for life when they are as young as 38 years old. Go in at 18, serve 20 years and retire! They will be the next target, until no one in this country has retirement benefits! Of course no one would dare suggest that while we are at war, but when the wars are over, they will become the next expense to cut.

          This is off the subject of the Congressman who knows exactly how important medical insurance is for his family, but doesn't want other peoples' families to have the same protections! He is despicable and has been quickly shown to be a hypocrite, as well as a liar. He wants his family to be secure, but other families? Hell, NO! Other families are not as important as his own family. What a great guy!

          All of the advances made to labor laws and employee benefits in the 20th century are being eroded, slowly but surely.

  2. Mighty Mom profile image75
    Mighty Momposted 14 years ago

    It would be divine justice, indeed, if every member of Congress who voted against "Obamacare" were removed from FEP and allowed to see how the health care (insurance) industry REALLY works.

    1. Jillian Barclay profile image70
      Jillian Barclayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I just emailed Andy Harris to let him know what a hypocrite he is!
      His email address is: info@andyharris.com
      I am sure that he doesn't care what anyone thinks about his behavior or hypocritical attitude! Just goes to show you: they run on one thing and live another! During his campaign he stated that if someone has no health insurance they can go to the emergency room for treatment. Suggest since he is a doctor, he should just provide any needed treatment by himself! What a great cost savings!

      Mighty Mom- I agree. Anyone who voted no should give up their government run health care benefits!

  3. Paul Wingert profile image60
    Paul Wingertposted 14 years ago

    I personaly think that this country should of joined the rest of the industrialized countries and just plain go with universal healthcare. Our former brainchild presideent Bush told his audience that we have the best health care in the world. Actulay we rank #37 behind Costa Rica. France is #1 and Austria, Japan. and Spain are in the top 10.

  4. Paul Wingert profile image60
    Paul Wingertposted 14 years ago

    We're suppose to be number one but we fail in health care, education, and so on. We need to stop saying it and start acting like it!

 
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