For $503 A Year, Members of Congress Have A Top-Notch Hospital On Call In The Capitol. But They Don't Want 'Government Care'?

I'm not bothered by federal employees in general getting this plan. Many private companies subsidize their employees plans. But I am mad that Republicans in Congress get such benefits subsidized by the taxpayers, but don't want to help the many citizens who can't afford health insurance, or who have been denied benefits by their insurance company. You can bet the insurance company isn't going to deny payment for cancer treatments because they didn't put down on their application that they had acne when they were younger.

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/503-year-members-congress-have-top-no

For $503 A Year, Members of Congress Have A Top-Notch Hospital On Call In The Capitol. But They Don't Want 'Government Care'?
By Susie Madrak Friday Oct 02, 2009 11:00am

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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.
By Mark Z. Barabak and Faye Fiore|August 02, 2009

Too much, too fast, too expensive. Those are some of the objections lawmakers have thrown up against the healthcare overhaul Democrats are attempting on Capitol Hill.

But many feel 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 Americans can only envy?

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.

There are generous plans available in private industry. But the federal coverage far surpasses that enjoyed by 70 million Americans who are underinsured and financially at risk in the event of a major health crisis -- not to mention the estimated 46 million who have no medical insurance.

"For the average worker, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan would probably look quite attractive," said Pete Sepp, a spokesman for the National Taxpayers Union, a pinch-penny advocacy group.

Indeed, a question often surfaces: Why can't everyone enjoy the same benefits as members of Congress? The answer: The country probably couldn't afford it -- not without reforms to bring costs way, way down

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 plan most favored by federal workers is Blue Cross Blue Shield, which covers a family for about $1,030 a month. Taxpayers kick in $700 and employees pay the rest. Seeing a doctor costs $20. Generic prescriptions cost $10. Immunizations are free. There is no coverage limit.

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See the first link for a description of the medical clinic on call to members of Congress.