Republican amendment to HELP bill requires ALL members of Congress to take the Public Plan

[liberalpragmatist]

So here's the story. On the HELP Committee, Sen. Tom Coburn offered an amendment meant as a poison pill. It would require that ALL members of Congress and every member of their staff enroll in the public plan.

The Dems on the Committee called his bluff. Ted Kennedy thought it was a great idea. They voted to keep it.

And now it's in the HELP bill.

Story here.

[defendandprotect]

1. You know what . . . it's not a bad idea, though I know Coburn wasn't trying to be helpful--!!!

[dflprincess]

8. It's kind of like the Republican who added a ban on

sex discrimination to the 1964 Civil Rights bill - he thought it would make a joke of the legislation.

I gotta say this is a Republican amendment I can support. But, it will probably be the one the Democrats refuse to be "bipartisan" about.

[defendandprotect]

10. Yes, great story comparison . . . ! It would certainly protect the plan from cuts!!

[timeforpeace]

2. Enroll in doesn't mean they have to use it instead of their current platinum plan.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. Good Point... they should be required to have ONLY the public plan

[merh]

14. The article does say they would be "required" to enroll in the plan

It would require that ALL members of Congress and every member of their staff enroll in the public plan.

[lindisfarne]

7. If they're enrolled in public option, there's no need to keep the option they currently have as

Senators.

[defendandprotect]

11. But, once MEDICARE FOR ALL was available we should cut their plan . . .

[katandmoon]

12. They are covered under the Federal Employee Health Benefits plan just like all feds are.

As a retired Fed I wouldn't call it a platinum plan. Feds choose among various private plans just like many private sector employees do, and it's not like we don't pay whopping premiums or have to meet deductibles or pay the difference out of our own pockets for whatever our insurance plans don't cover. Trust me -- we do.

[csziggy]

3. Only fair that the citizens get the same insurance as our representatives - or vise versa

Thank you, Sen. Kennedy! :applause:

As for Coburn: :rofl:

[1]

4. fantastic idea. maybe congress will make it a better plan if they themselves are on it...

[sfwriter]

6. Hell yeah bubba!

As soon as I can get it, I'm jumping.

I hate wondering if I should go to the emergency room or wait when I have an infection, or begging for a referral for something my doctor and I already know I need, or watching a doctor say I have an illness that is covered to get treatment for something that isn't.

I'll be off my private plan like lightning.

[lindisfarne]

9. Well, the Repubs cannot claim the bill isn't bipartisan & their suggestions weren't included.n/t

[guruoo]

13. 'best healthcare plan in the world'