Posted on 07/22/2017 11:53:07 AM PDT by george76
Judicial Watch requested the Trump administration stop members of Congress and their staff from unlawfully purchasing, with taxpayer subsidies, health insurance through the District of Columbia’s small business exchange.
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Because the ACA limits the purchase of insurance on a small business exchange to employees of small businesses – and Congress is not a small business – the ACA unequivocally requires that certain members of Congress and congressional employees purchase insurance on an individual exchange created either by their state of residence (or by the District, if they are a D.C. resident) or by the federal government for that state.
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Because certain members of Congress and congressional employees are enrolled in a small business exchange, the government is contributing monies contrary to the ACA. If OPM’s and CMS’s regulation and guidance were revoked, the government would save monies being expended unlawfully to provide contributions to the approximately 20,000 members of Congress and congressional employees. In addition, the rule of law will be enforced.
“Congress, through fraud, is violating Obamacare to get taxpayers to pay for its health insurance,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “If the Trump administration required Congress to follow the law, taxpayers would be saving money, pure and simple. We hope the Trump administration will end this clear violation of law by Congress.”
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Judicial Watch previously uncovered false applications filed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate with the D.C. Exchange Authority showing that the House and Senate claimed to have only 45 employees each. They also show that the House and Senate attested to having “50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.” Congress employs upwards of 20,000 people. The applications also falsely state that the House and Senate are “local/state governments.”
(Excerpt) Read more at judicialwatch.org ...
Yeah!! The whole thing is based on an illegal and fraudulent declaration by Congress that they are a small business. Private entities doing the same would have their officers going to prison.
Of course Trump should do this. The question is, can he? Is the exemption written into the law? If so, how can he change the law?
Of course, from a optics perspective, it would put Congress in an awful position if he publicy threated to do this and they publicly argued why he couldn’t.
Our Congressman (he’s worth million$) is quick to point out he and his wife are on Obamacare. But I know for a fact his staff isn’t. Way to go Judicial Watch! Expose the hypocrisy and double standards.
I like this! JW is doing yeoman’s work and I very much appreciate it.
Go, Trump, go. Time for an official ruling from the DOJ or via executive order to rescind this travesty.
They are fake phony fraud if they don’t change this.
John McCain should pay the same amount for his brain cancer as I do for my wife’s brain cancer.
Its about time and fire Muller. Let’s rock and roll
Congress through fraud, is violating Obamacare to get taxpayers to pay for its health insurance,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
Well, if TA doesn’t act, file case and charge the whole lot of them with healthcare fraud.
This would be a good way for Trump to light a fire under the feet of Congress. Might also tick them off even more than they already are.
Judicial Watch is challenging the unlawful Obamacare subsidies for Congress through a taxpayer lawsuit in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (Kirby Vining vs. Executive Board of the District of Columbia Health Benefit Exchange Authority (No. 14-0006496)).
The case is currently before the D.C. Court of Appeals.
I think McCain should have gone to the VA.
Well, if you can find something in the law that allows Congress to falsely claim that they are a small enterprise employing less than 50 people (and thus to gain financial benefits for themselves) then perhaps Trump can’t do anything. There is a whole lot of “I know nothing, I see nothing” willful ignorance in the government about violations of the law that result in benefit to the swamp dwellers.
Although my wife is getting good car, I had to fight for it everyday.
McCain should be reminded how the American citizens have to fight for care.
I would make them all PAY BACK the Money they received as a result of this Fraud. Hell why not use the upgraded Civil Asset Forfeiture rules AG Sessions wants on Congress for their “Ill gotten gains”
Very sorry to learn about your wife. Will offer prayers for her and your family.
And as for McSwamp, you are right on.
I agree. Let them deal with Affordable Health Care. Hah!
Thank you! My wife just spent 5 days in cardiac critical care.
I will bet anyone that my bill will be more than John McCain’s bill.
I emailed Mr. Trump several times saying simply insert one word, NOT,
just before the word EXEMPT.
Delighted that it has come up for all the world to see.
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