As the debate over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act rages on following the decision handed down by a Florida judge representing that the health care overhaul contains unconstitutional mandates, much of the media has ignored the fact that nearly all GOP lawmakers in Congress pushing for repeal — as well as their staffs — currently accept government-sponsored health care. # Only eight Republican members of the House have opted out of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan, which in 2008 covered some 8.5 million federal workers and their dependents at a cost of $15 billion to taxpayers.
“„A select few pro-repeal lawmakers have refused to accept government health benefits for themselves to try to stay consistent in their opposition to government health care. Out of the few who have eschewed government health plans for themselves, many are either on government benefit plans from their service in state government or the military. Others are independently wealthy, like Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), who owns a large car dealership or Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), an investment banker. #
“„“I didn’t come here to get health insurance. I came here to make a difference,” Webster said in a recent interview. #
“„“I want to remain with [my decision], because I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “Because I think that when you have Americans that are struggling, why should I — why should I — get a cost savings because I just got elected to the United States House of Representatives? That’s the reality.” #
“„Given their choices, lawmakers can tailor coverage in a way most Americans cannot. If a child has asthma, for instance, a federal employee might opt for coverage that costs a little more but has a bigger doctor network and lower office-visit fees. #
“„The current system in America is unaffordable. I think Democrats and Republicans can agree on that. If we stay on the current course, we will be spending the lion’s share of our income on healthcare. It will bankrupt our businesses. It puts us at a competitive disadvantage with all of the other countries who have figured this out. #