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http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/02/nation/na-congress-benefits2
Congress' own healthcare benefits: membership has its privileges
Lawmakers can choose among several plans and get special treatment at federal medical facilities. In 2008, taxpayers spent about $15 billion to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents.
August 02, 2009|Mark Z. Barabak and Faye Fiore
Too much, too fast, too expensive. Those are some of the objections lawmakers have voiced against the healthcare overhaul Democrats are attempting on Capitol Hill.
But many Americans think Congress is out of touch. How, they wonder, can lawmakers empathize with the underinsured or those lacking insurance when they receive a benefits package -- heavily subsidized by taxpayers -- that most of us can only envy?
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, August 04, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 55 words Type of Material: Correction
Healthcare benefits: An article in Sunday's Section A about congressional healthcare benefits said that Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) "has refused to accept federal healthcare benefits, making him the only member of Congress to do without." Other members have also declined federal healthcare benefits; Kagen is the only member to have no health insurance coverage whatsoever.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday, August 09, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 57 words Type of Material: Correction
Healthcare benefits: An article in the Aug. 2 Section A about congressional healthcare benefits said that Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) "has refused to accept federal healthcare benefits, making him the only member of Congress to do without." Other members have also declined federal healthcare benefits; Kagen is the only member to have no health insurance coverage whatsoever.
Among the advantages: a choice of 10 healthcare plans that provide access to a national network of doctors, as well as several HMOs that serve each member's home state. By contrast, 85% of private companies offering health coverage provide their employees one type of plan -- take it or leave it.
Lawmakers also get special treatment at Washington's federal medical facilities and, for a few hundred dollars a month, access to their own pharmacy and doctors, nurses and medical technicians standing by in an office conveniently located between the House and Senate chambers.
In all, taxpayers spent about $15 billion last year to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents, including postal service employees, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
Generous plans are available in private industry. But the federal coverage far surpasses that enjoyed by 70 million Americans who are underinsured and at financial risk in the event of a major health crisis -- not to mention the estimated 46 million who have no medical insurance..
Congress' own healthcare benefits: membership has its privileges
Lawmakers can choose among several plans and get special treatment at federal medical facilities. In 2008, taxpayers spent about $15 billion to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents.
August 02, 2009|Mark Z. Barabak and Faye Fiore
Too much, too fast, too expensive. Those are some of the objections lawmakers have voiced against the healthcare overhaul Democrats are attempting on Capitol Hill.
But many Americans think Congress is out of touch. How, they wonder, can lawmakers empathize with the underinsured or those lacking insurance when they receive a benefits package -- heavily subsidized by taxpayers -- that most of us can only envy?
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday, August 04, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 55 words Type of Material: Correction
Healthcare benefits: An article in Sunday's Section A about congressional healthcare benefits said that Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) "has refused to accept federal healthcare benefits, making him the only member of Congress to do without." Other members have also declined federal healthcare benefits; Kagen is the only member to have no health insurance coverage whatsoever.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday, August 09, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 57 words Type of Material: Correction
Healthcare benefits: An article in the Aug. 2 Section A about congressional healthcare benefits said that Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) "has refused to accept federal healthcare benefits, making him the only member of Congress to do without." Other members have also declined federal healthcare benefits; Kagen is the only member to have no health insurance coverage whatsoever.
Among the advantages: a choice of 10 healthcare plans that provide access to a national network of doctors, as well as several HMOs that serve each member's home state. By contrast, 85% of private companies offering health coverage provide their employees one type of plan -- take it or leave it.
Lawmakers also get special treatment at Washington's federal medical facilities and, for a few hundred dollars a month, access to their own pharmacy and doctors, nurses and medical technicians standing by in an office conveniently located between the House and Senate chambers.
In all, taxpayers spent about $15 billion last year to insure 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents, including postal service employees, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
Generous plans are available in private industry. But the federal coverage far surpasses that enjoyed by 70 million Americans who are underinsured and at financial risk in the event of a major health crisis -- not to mention the estimated 46 million who have no medical insurance..