Even Congressional Reps Have Had to Sacrifice Their Gold-Plated Healthcare Plan

by LAS

The official language from Section 1312 of the Senate plan (HR 3590 ):
(D) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE EXCHANGE-
(i) REQUIREMENT- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the effective date of this subtitle, the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are--
(I) created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or
(II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act).

Some of us may be quite familiar with the fact that current members of Congress are covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The program, which covers over 8 million employees of the federal government, is a private plan which is the envy of most non-governmental employees.

Congressional members may also choose to be treated at a military hospital or at the office of the Attending Physician of the U.S. Capitol for a fee.

Now when the provisions of the new law roll into effect, the Cadillac plan will be phased out and replaced with the same coverage given to the rest of America. You may read the notice posted at Congress dot org at http://www.congress.org/news/2010/03/25/how_will_lawmakers_insurance_change