Obama and Congress Are Under Obamacare Says Congressman

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., weighed in on health care on Thursday, ripping President Barack Obamas signature law and noting he and his staff will also be impacted by it.

There is a common misconception that members of Congress do not have to pay for health insurance, Ross said. Members of Congress and their staff are covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. My staff and I are able to choose among several different plans also available to Americans across the country, and we all must pay premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, just like constituents like you, while choosing from the same list of providers as everyone else in the plan. Additionally, as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as Obamacare is implemented, my staff and I will be absorbed into the insurance exchanges. There is no exemption for members of Congress or their staff, and in fact, the ACA specifically states we must be included.

I firmly believe in the importance of all laws applying equally to all American citizens: constituents, members of Congress, the president, vice president, their staff, and those who work in the federal government, Ross continued. I never supported Obamacare because it is not sound policy (and I introduced my alternative health care plan: HR 2688, The PATIENT Health Care Act), but if my fellow Americans have to endure the harsh impacts and costs as a result of this law, I will stand and endure with them until we can find a better solution.

Further, in order to ensure everyone receives the same health care as my constituents, I have co-sponsored HR 1780, he said in conclusion. This legislation was introduced on April 26, 2013, by Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich., Dist. 4) and would extend these provisions of Obamacare to the president, vice president and their staff. You can rest assured I will not support any deal nor vote in favor of any legislation that would create a carve-out exemption for members of Congress or their staff under Obamacare. And I pay for my own health insurance and health care every month just like you.