Have you ever wondered why so many members of Congress are so reluctant to reform our health care system, so oblivious to the concerns of the American people, and so ready, willing and able to defend the status quo? It's because inside their Washington, D.C. cocoon, inside the world of the ruling elites, the health care system is all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. And guess what, it's all government-run and taxpayer subsidized.
Consider this:
"The plan most favored by federal workers is Blue Cross Blue Shield, which covers a family for about $1,030 a month. Taxpayers kick in $700 and employees pay the rest. Seeing a doctor costs $20. Generic prescriptions cost $10. Immunizations are free. There is no coverage limit.
Federal employees also enjoy a significant benefit denied the average American: There is no such thing as a "pre-existing condition," which keeps many sick people from obtaining insurance. Once hired, federal workers are eligible for coverage no matter their health, with no waiting period."
Pretty sweet, huh? It gets better:
"Lawmakers also get special treatment at Washington's federal medical facilities and, for a few hundred dollars a month (note: it's actually a few hundred per year), access to their own pharmacy and doctors, nurses and medical technicians standing by in an office conveniently located between the House and Senate chambers."
That would be the Office of the Attending Physician, about which ABC News reports:
"This fall while members of Congress toil in the U.S. Capitol, working to decide how or even whether to reform the country's health care system, one floor below them an elaborate Navy medical clinic -- described by those who have seen it as something akin to a modern community hospital -- will be standing by, on-call and ready to provide Congress with some of the country's best and most efficient government-run health care.
...Through interviews with former employees and members of Congress, as well as extensive document searches, ABC News has learned new details about the services offered by the Office of Attending Physician to members of Congress over the past few years, from regular visits by a consulting chiropractor to on-site physical therapy.
...Services offered by the Office of the Attending Physician include physicals and routine examinations, on-site X-rays and lab work, physical therapy and referrals to medical specialists from military hospitals and private medical practices. According to congressional budget records, the office is staffed by at least four Navy doctors as well as at least a dozen medical and X-ray technicians, nurses and a pharmacist.
Sources said when specialists are needed, they are brought to the Capitol, often at no charge to members of Congress.
...Members of Congress do not pay for the individual services they receive at the OAP, nor do they submit claims through their federal employee health insurance policies. Instead, members pay a flat, annual fee of $503 for all the care they receive. The rest of the cost of their care, sources said, is subsidized by taxpayers.
Oh by the way, that annual fee of $503 hasn't changed since 1992.
Just something to keep in mind the next time you hear one of our Congressional hypocrites yammering on about the evils of government-run health care. They have no clue about what life is like in the real world, as if that's any great surprise.
Consider this:
"The plan most favored by federal workers is Blue Cross Blue Shield, which covers a family for about $1,030 a month. Taxpayers kick in $700 and employees pay the rest. Seeing a doctor costs $20. Generic prescriptions cost $10. Immunizations are free. There is no coverage limit.
Federal employees also enjoy a significant benefit denied the average American: There is no such thing as a "pre-existing condition," which keeps many sick people from obtaining insurance. Once hired, federal workers are eligible for coverage no matter their health, with no waiting period."
Pretty sweet, huh? It gets better:
"Lawmakers also get special treatment at Washington's federal medical facilities and, for a few hundred dollars a month (note: it's actually a few hundred per year), access to their own pharmacy and doctors, nurses and medical technicians standing by in an office conveniently located between the House and Senate chambers."
That would be the Office of the Attending Physician, about which ABC News reports:
"This fall while members of Congress toil in the U.S. Capitol, working to decide how or even whether to reform the country's health care system, one floor below them an elaborate Navy medical clinic -- described by those who have seen it as something akin to a modern community hospital -- will be standing by, on-call and ready to provide Congress with some of the country's best and most efficient government-run health care.
...Through interviews with former employees and members of Congress, as well as extensive document searches, ABC News has learned new details about the services offered by the Office of Attending Physician to members of Congress over the past few years, from regular visits by a consulting chiropractor to on-site physical therapy.
...Services offered by the Office of the Attending Physician include physicals and routine examinations, on-site X-rays and lab work, physical therapy and referrals to medical specialists from military hospitals and private medical practices. According to congressional budget records, the office is staffed by at least four Navy doctors as well as at least a dozen medical and X-ray technicians, nurses and a pharmacist.
Sources said when specialists are needed, they are brought to the Capitol, often at no charge to members of Congress.
...Members of Congress do not pay for the individual services they receive at the OAP, nor do they submit claims through their federal employee health insurance policies. Instead, members pay a flat, annual fee of $503 for all the care they receive. The rest of the cost of their care, sources said, is subsidized by taxpayers.
Oh by the way, that annual fee of $503 hasn't changed since 1992.
Just something to keep in mind the next time you hear one of our Congressional hypocrites yammering on about the evils of government-run health care. They have no clue about what life is like in the real world, as if that's any great surprise.
des you make a lot of sense. thanks for your take on obama's uphill climb and the order of how the final bill will come to fruition. i also understand campaign promises are one thing and putting policy in place, boots on the ground so to speak are quite different. i'm still committed to obama, but as many here have stated the dems in charge are starting to tarnish under the light. again thanks for your insights.
Carguy,
I understand the Astros have a management position open.
I too think that we're only in the third inning of this game. Maybe we're behind 4 runs. But lotta ballgame left.
The key is the "middle relief". If Obama can bring in sombody who can "shut 'em down". Hold 'em to a run, or less. Get us to the "stretch".
Then, IF he is all he thinks he is, (and we desperately HOPE for and VOTED for) he brings in "THE CLOSER". He's got a 98mph fastball and a 88mph slider that will buckle their knees. If they get a little brave...."chin music". Still brave.......plunk one.
Three straight at "light speed" to the GOP moronic "heart of the lineup."
Finally let the guys in the dugout know. Anybody who does NOT perform for me......Double AA ball in Paducah where the motel rooms have bugs, and so do the women.
There you go. That's the way to win ball games.
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.
Tragic, just my opinion:
I don’t think the president was there long enough to get corrupted like some of the other old dogs who have been there 20 or 30 years. I think he really wants a public option, a strong public option, but he’s running up against said old dogs that have been in DC too long and taken too much money and are too beholden to the lobbyists who give them the cash. They would be perfectly happy if nothing changed. So what he wants and what he’s able to get passed may be 2 different things.
This thing still has a long way to go before we know what the final bill will look like. They have to get a bill out of the Senate, one out of the House, it has to go to conference, and then back to the House and Senate for final passage before the president signs it. It could look completely different by then than the 5 versions we see now.
I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until then.
the surface of this has been scratched, but seeing it all laid out in formal dress is repulsive and disgusting to me. gingrey is on cspan right now making his "pledge" to america, more bs about about "across state line coverage" and "tort reform". des if obama was in this sweet members only club before going to the white house, what specifics can you share about about his position on the point you bring up? i guess i was so swept up in "yes we can" that i was not paying attention to "this is what's going on"! surely if obama campaigned on "healthcare" for all he intended for americans to have something like he and others in congress have, at least a basic outline. incidentally, this "across state lines" bs is in direct opposition to the usual bs republicans spew about gov't takeovers and trampling on state's rights. how does the gop exactly propose that the govt impose universal insurance regulation when some states are bootstrap and others accept access to care as a right?
They also decide their own raises and vacation time. Imagine if everyone lived like that.
The arrogance and hypocrisy in Washington has to stop. These are not servants of the public. They are self-service socialized plutocrats who could give a damn about the people they are suppose to represent.
Honestly, what do we expect when their souls are for sale to the highest bidder.
Of course, this is one of the problems. They have no idea what its like to walk in our shoes. If you can't relate to a problem there is no urgency to find a solution.
It really pisses me off that I have to pay more for medicare that those who are supposed to be working for our good, and don't.
Well, as long as they have thiers. . .
I have friends who are retired government employees. They still enjoy all those wonderful benefits.
It's like "they" say Des, about recession vs. depression. If you don't have a job, it's a depression.
My Medicare costs more than what the members of Congress pay per year.
Thank heavens I have it. Otherwise -- I couldn't get near, much less admitted to, a hospital.
We've all known for a very long time, the amount of hypocrisy that comes from the United States Congress.
This time, with the debate on health care, it's just magnified more than usual.
I have a family member who has health insurance from the Gov. employment. She pays about what we do and gets good coverage. Commmunists haven't come to her house and converted her. YET.
Every member of congress should have their health care eliminated for 1 year. Self pay only and they cannot use their spouses insurance either.
Then and only then will they understand the need for reform
Wow, this does sound like a real cushy deal for anyone working for the government. I am tempted to start applying for some government jobs myself. Why would anyone want to give up those perks and have to share with the taxpayers? So we not only pay a butt load of money for our own insurance but we help pay for our members of congress as well? I am getting screwed.