Reid defends Obamacare exemption for Congress: ‘That’s what the law says’

The Daily Caller ^ | 9/12/2013

[markomalley]

Senate majority leader Harry Reid defended the special Obamacare exemptions carved out for lawmakers and their staff on Thursday during a Capitol press conference, insisting that Congress members and staff will participate in Obamacare’s exchanges.

Responding to the hoopla surrounding the health insurance policies on Capitol Hill, the Nevada Democrat flatly stated Thursday, “That’s what the law says, and we’ll be part of that.”

Reid said the Republicans and critics are just using the issue as a “diversion” to “try and embarrass the president.”

“Let’s stop these really juvenile political games,” Reid said. “The one dealing with healthcare for Senators and House members and our staff. We are going to be part of exchanges.”

The Office of Personnel Management announced in August that it plans to provide a subsidy of about 75 percent of the cost for the healthcare of members and staff.

The Obamacare fix for lawmakers and staff was made because the Affordable Care Act includes an amendment from a Republican senator that changes how the government currently covers most of the cost of health-care premiums for members and their staffers.

The new law mandates that members and staff must enter into exchanges or be covered by insurance “created” by law.

Lawmakers worried about a potential “brain drain” — Capitol Hill staffers leaving work because of the increased costs of health care — and therefore wanted the fix.

While Republicans are protesting the subsidy, Reid argued it’s typical for employers to pay for healthcare costs of employees.

“We’ll be treated like the rest of the federal employees,” he said Thursday. “It’s nothing unique that employers help pay for health care. Ford Motor Company, Sears, doesn’t matter.”

[b4its2late]

Reid said. “The one dealing with healthcare for Senators and House members and our staff. We are going to be part of exchanges.”

Liar!

[JLAGRAYFOX]

(WWW.DONTFUNDOBAMACARE.COM)

[bravo whiskey]

what brain drain? though given it’s dc probably wouldn’t raise the average iq

[Steely Tom]

That’s what the law says, and we’ll be part of that.”

Impressive line of reasoning. Dingy Harry is using his middle-finger brain again.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Funeral Director speaks.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

In other words, "Let them eat cake."

My God I pray this evil man gets what he deserves - in this life. I'd rather not wait until the after-life.

[fhayek]

Sounds almost Kafkaesque.

[Parmy]

I knew the fix was in a long time ago. Didn’t any of you? But, I will write to the two bimbos who are my senators and my representative, anyway.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Some animals are more equal than others!

[traditional1]

"The Office of Personnel Management announced in August that it plans to provide a subsidy of about 75 percent of the cost for the healthcare of members and staff."

NO...that's the TAXPAYER, not the OPM, that provides the money....the Government HAS NO MONEY...it's Taxpayers that fund the entire plantation in Washington, DC, you dumbass.

[drypowder]

the obozo care clearly is going to kill the health services industry and many Americans along with it and break the bank in the process. It's also clear that's been the plan all along. Not one conservative radio talk show or TV news host has uttered the word corruption nor has anyone tagged those politicians who have lied to the people about the obozo care as being liars and corrupt. NOT ONE!! Why not?? Not because it just goes without saying and everybody just accepts it. Its time somebody publicly challenges this government on the level of corruption that has become the normal procedure from which it operates. Even Ted Cruz, Mike Lee nor Rand Paul have mentioned the word CORRUPTION as it applies to this government. Again, why not. First identify the problem and then it can be fixed.

[hal ogen]

To harry dimwit reid: let’s follow the law as you want to...let’s arrest you and all the other criminals in WDC.

[I want the USA back]

Lying or stupid, or both.

[Gay State Conservative]

Lying or stupid, or both.

Nope,absolutely not stupid.Think back to Bella Pelosi's comment during the debate..."we'll just have to pass it to see what's in it".She was telling the truth when she said that they'd have to pass it so that *we*,the Great Unwashed,could see what's in it.But she was lying through her teeth when she implied that nobody in the Rat leadership knew what was in it.

THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS IN IT.

[sheana]

plans to provide a subsidy of about 75 percent of the cost

I sure wish someone was paying 75% of our over $1k a month health insurance costs. By the way, health insurance does not = healthcare.

[freedomson]

As Mr. Bumble said, “Then the law is an ass.”

[hummingbird]

Reid

Oh, pu-leeze...

[Marathoner]

GOD he is such a POS. Almost at Obama level.

[Rapscallion]

Reid said the Republicans and critics are just using the issue as a “diversion” to “try and embarrass the president.”

Reid and Obama are doing enough to embarrass themselves without Republican assistance.