Whoever wins the 1st and 2nd District races will be covered by health insurance provided by the federal government.
Currently, that means members can buy relatively generous coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program. Congressional health insurance is subsidized by the lawmakers' employer, the federal government.
Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require members of Congress and their staff to purchase their health insurance through health insurance exchanges. ...Tulsa World
Repeal of the Affordable Care Act may well have a non-ideological basis for many Republicans serving in Congress. During their terms, they have benefited from membership in a privileged health care system. "Obamacare" will level the playing field when it comes to their own health care. This undoubtedly accounts for at least some of their urgency when it comes to repealing the Affordable Care Act.
Repealing President Obama’s healthcare law would let members of Congress keep their government-subsidized insurance coverage after they retire — a benefit they lost under the health law.
The Affordable Care Act — specifically, a Republican amendment to the Affordable Care Act — kicked members of Congress and their aides out of the healthcare program for federal employees.
Instead, lawmakers and staff have to get coverage through the insurance exchanges created by the healthcare law. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), who championed that provision, said it ensures that lawmakers live under the same rules as their constituents.
Now, as the House prepares to vote on a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, some Democrats are arguing that repeal would reinstate a two-tiered system that gives lawmakers a leg up. “Repeal looks like it’s worse than anyone would have thought,” a Democratic official said. “Not only are Republicans helping their insurance company donors, they’re also trying to help themselves. House Republicans are set to repeal the promise that members of Congress have health care just like everyone else and to restart the perk of lifetime government health care for themselves.” ...The Hill
