Tea Party Members of Congress Are Already Saving the Taxpayers Money

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Freshman becomes fifteenth House Republican to turn down federal health plan

Freshman Rep. Cory Gardner (Colo.) became the fifteenth House Republican to turn down the government-sponsored health insurance available to lawmakers.

Gardner, who defeated one-term Rep. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) in November, is keeping his independent health insurance, for which he pays out-of-pocket.

“Rep. Gardner and his wife pay for their plan out of pocket. It’s not provided through his family’s business or her job,” Gardner spokeswoman Rachel Boxer told the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Republicans who staunchly opposed President Obama's healthcare law have come under pressure from Democrats and liberal activist groups to decline their government healthcare benefits.

Like other members of his party, Gardner campaigned in opposition to the healthcare law and voted with his party to repeal the bill last week. The strategy helped Republicans come away with big victories during the midterm elections.

But Democrats have kept up the heat on Republicans over the healthcare plan ever since the November elections. President Obama spoke at a healthcare convention on Friday and ridiculed Republican arguments against the law.

"You may have heard this is a job-killing, granny-threatening, budget-busting monstrosity," he said. "That just doesn't match up to the reality. ...And I can report that granny is safe."

The 14 other House Republicans who have turned down their coverage available through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan are Reps. Mike Kelly (Pa.), Joe Walsh (Ill.), Sandy Adams (Fla.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Chris Gibson (N.Y.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Frank Guinta (N.H.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), Bill Johnson (Ohio), David McKinley (W.Va.), Rich Nugent (Fla.), Scott Rigell (Va.), Bobby Schilling (Ill.) and Daniel Webster (Fla.).

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/140913-freshman-becomes-fifteenth-house-republican-to-turn-down-federal-health-plan

Edited January 29, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Freshman becomes fifteenth House Republican to turn down federal health plan

Freshman Rep. Cory Gardner (Colo.) became the fifteenth House Republican to turn down the government-sponsored health insurance available to lawmakers.

Gardner, who defeated one-term Rep. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) in November, is keeping his independent health insurance, for which he pays out-of-pocket.

“Rep. Gardner and his wife pay for their plan out of pocket. It’s not provided through his family’s business or her job,” Gardner spokeswoman Rachel Boxer told the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Republicans who staunchly opposed President Obama's healthcare law have come under pressure from Democrats and liberal activist groups to decline their government healthcare benefits.

Like other members of his party, Gardner campaigned in opposition to the healthcare law and voted with his party to repeal the bill last week. The strategy helped Republicans come away with big victories during the midterm elections.

But Democrats have kept up the heat on Republicans over the healthcare plan ever since the November elections. President Obama spoke at a healthcare convention on Friday and ridiculed Republican arguments against the law.

"You may have heard this is a job-killing, granny-threatening, budget-busting monstrosity," he said. "That just doesn't match up to the reality. ...And I can report that granny is safe."

The 14 other House Republicans who have turned down their coverage available through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan are Reps. Mike Kelly (Pa.), Joe Walsh (Ill.), Sandy Adams (Fla.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Chris Gibson (N.Y.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Frank Guinta (N.H.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), Bill Johnson (Ohio), David McKinley (W.Va.), Rich Nugent (Fla.), Scott Rigell (Va.), Bobby Schilling (Ill.) and Daniel Webster (Fla.).

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/140913-freshman-becomes-fifteenth-house-republican-to-turn-down-federal-health-plan

So he has opted out of any kind of coverage that is available to the general public? A plan through his family's business or his wife's job even?

I'm sorry but all this does is say "hey look at me I've got enough old family money to buy something you can't".

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So he has opted out of any kind of coverage that is available to the general public? A plan through his family's business or his wife's job even?

I'm sorry but all this does is say "hey look at me I've got enough old family money to buy something you can't".

No, he is opting out of the health plans available to members of Congress. He is buying his insurance out of pocket. He has no other access to a health plan.

[peejay 327]

So he has opted out of any kind of coverage that is available to the general public? A plan through his family's business or his wife's job even?

I'm sorry but all this does is say "hey look at me I've got enough old family money to buy something you can't".

Where in the article does it mention that this guy or any of the others come from old inherited money?

Current salary for the House and Senate is $174K. More than enough money to buy their own private policy instead of hitting up the taxpayer. I wonder if multi-millionaire Pelosi hits up the taxpayer instead of buying her own private insurance?

And why should anyone have to opt out of any coverage at all if they don't have to or want to?

None of this makes any of them especially evil people other than it pisses off liberals.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

No, he is opting out of the health plans available to members of Congress. He is buying his insurance out of pocket. He has no other access to a health plan.

The article doesn't say he has no other access. In fact it reads as if he does but chooses not to take it.

Where in the article does it mention that this guy or any of the others come from old inherited money?

Current salary for the House and Senate is $174K. More than enough money to buy their own private policy instead of hitting up the taxpayer. I wonder if multi-millionaire Pelosi hits up the taxpayer instead of buying her own private insurance?

And why should anyone have to opt out of any coverage at all if they don't have to or want to?

None of this makes any of them especially evil people other than it pisses off liberals.

It doesn't piss me off.

It just does not impress me.

[Pooky 3,794]

So, when these politicians ran on repealing healthcare, the call was, "Will they be hypocrites and take the Congressional healthcare package?"

Now that they are backing up their words with actions, it's, "Well, they can afford to do it, so it means nothing."

Who'd want to be a politician?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

So, when these politicians ran on repealing healthcare, the call was, "Will they be hypocrites and take the Congressional healthcare package?"

Now that they are backing up their words with actions, it's, "Well, they can afford to do it, so it means nothing."

Who'd want to be a politician?

No.

What this guy is doing makes no sense. Ok so he has turned down his guvmint healthcare. But he's not doing what the REST of us would do and find the most affordable coverage he could through a job. Which it appears he has access to.

It just looks like grandstanding.

[Pooky 3,794]

No.

What this guy is doing makes no sense. Ok so he has turned down his guvmint healthcare. But he's not doing what the REST of us would do and find the most affordable coverage he could through a job. Which it appears he has access to.

It just looks like grandstanding.

The Congressional healthcare plan is his occupational coverage.

We grouse at most politicians for not backing up their words with actions. Now some are grousing at the ones who do. Some people are just never happy.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

The Congressional healthcare plan is his occupational coverage.

We grouse at most politicians for not backing up their words with actions. Now some are grousing at the ones who do. Some people are just never happy.

Are you listening to what I am saying?

I'm saying the guy is going out on a limb to tell us how he is paying for his coverage out of pocket! He refused coverage through his job as a congressman. The article alludes that he has opportunities for coverage through his family's business and through his wife's job.

Why can't he just take affordable coverage somewhere and be done with it? That is what his constituency does! If he wants to turn down his federal coverage, then fine. But it looks like a stupid financial decision being played up for the media.

Do you get it yet?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The article alludes that he has opportunities for coverage through his family's business and through his wife's job.

You seem to be the only one reading something extra into the story.

Gardner campaigned against the health-care reform law and voted this month to repeal it.

Several people have written letters to the editor in Colorado newspapers in recent days that criticized Gardner, assuming he was receiving government health insurance.

Boxer said the Gardner family's insurance choice was a practical, not political, decision. His wife and 6-year-old daughter still live in Yuma in northeastern Colorado.

"There aren't a lot of doctors in Yuma, and this plan fit best for his family and the doctors they go to," she said.

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20110129/LOVELAND01/101290320

Edited January 30, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I see that article stating the family has a business and the wife has a job.

Now that indicates to me their are probably some other coverage options out there. Coverage options that REGULAR PEOPLE would take.

All I am saying is don't be fooled by politicians playing down to you. Rockefeller is a senator from my State and I don't have any delusions that he's just like me. When a politician does something I as a citizen would do, then that impresses me. Otherwise it's all hooey.

[mawilson 2,133]

Are you listening to what I am saying?

I'm saying the guy is going out on a limb to tell us how he is paying for his coverage out of pocket! He refused coverage through his job as a congressman. The article alludes that he has opportunities for coverage through his family's business and through his wife's job.

Why can't he just take affordable coverage somewhere and be done with it? That is what his constituency does! If he wants to turn down his federal coverage, then fine. But it looks like a stupid financial decision being played up for the media.

Do you get it yet?

No, I don't get it. These leeches get enough of my hard earned money

to go and buy their own damn coverage.

[Pooky 3,794]

Are you listening to what I am saying?

I'm saying the guy is going out on a limb to tell us how he is paying for his coverage out of pocket! He refused coverage through his job as a congressman. The article alludes that he has opportunities for coverage through his family's business and through his wife's job.

Why can't he just take affordable coverage somewhere and be done with it? That is what his constituency does! If he wants to turn down his federal coverage, then fine. But it looks like a stupid financial decision being played up for the media.

Do you get it yet?

And any ordinary person will buy the best coverage they can afford, in the current market. Do you get it yet?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

No, I don't get it. These leeches get enough of my hard earned money

to go and buy their own damn coverage.

he is making political hay of it because he is a politician. Every politician makes political hay out of everything they do. That is how he will get re-elected.

As far as his health coverage, who cares? As stated, he gets paid enough (of our money) to buy his own. Let him. Why should anyone be offended he isn't making US pay for his heathcare? Thank you. Anyone else that wishes to pay for their own, please do so! Feel free to announce it on TV.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

And any ordinary person will buy the best coverage they can afford, in the current market. Do you get it yet?

Pooky, I've got more than just a nodding acquaintance with different insurance coverages.

I can assure you, without a shadow of a doubt, that the best most affordable coverage our congressional friend could have obtained would have been the Federal coverage. It's extremely affordable and it's accepted everywhere, usually through the Blue Cross network.