The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Health Care Privileges for Congress

Dec 9, 2013

Congress wrote the Affordable Care Act in a way that required elected representatives and senators to buy their health insurance coverage from health care exchanges.

But their health care exchange system is not what the rest of us have to put up with.

They have given themselves “in-person support sessions” at their place of work, the Capitol. They have their own toll-free number called the “dedicated Congressional health insurance plan assistance line.” So anyone in Congress, including their staffs, who has a healthcare question can call their own personal rep to explain the exchange system.

Not only do they give themselves more help, they give themselves more choices–not only so-called “gold plans,” but 112 choices of plans–unlike the rest of us.

In addition, Congress members make $174,000 per year–that is, more than three times the median salary for families in the U.S., which is $52,100 per year. So what does the cost of health care mean to them?

For Congress? If someone feels sick, our tax dollars pay for a physician to be present at the Capitol. Unlike our children, who no longer have nurses in their schools.

For the rest of us? A messed up web site, and lousy health coverage.

For the health care industry? Guaranteed profits.