The
GOP Conference in the Senate has adopted a policy that requires Republican staffers to obtain health insurance through the Obamacare exchanges,
The Hill reported.
The decision would have GOP senators re-designate their staff as "official," thereby compelling them to give up their Federal Employee Health Benefits Program insurance and switch to coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The resolution would apply to all GOP Senate staff regardless of their duties.
The Times-Picayune reported that the rules are not mandatory.
The
Office of Personnel Management had left it to lawmakers to designate their staff as official or not, creating an Obamacare loophole. Staff forced into Obamacare receive a government contribution toward the cost of their premiums.
Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, who championed the proposal in the GOP Conference said, "Republican senators made a strong, principled statement today in passing my resolution."
He added, "Washington should have to live under Obamacare just like everybody else until we repeal it. And we won't be complicit in Obama's illegal rule designed to protect Washington insiders."
Vitter is also against government insurance subsidies for lawmakers and staff. The financial support issue was not explicitly referenced in the conference resolution.
Republicans challenged their Democratic colleagues to accept a comparable policy for their aides.
Lawmakers who are strongly opposed to the president's signature healthcare policy have all along sought to require members of Congress and their staff to obtain health coverage through the Obamacare exchanges and have opposed subsidies.
House Speaker
John Boehner took Obamacare coverage, forgoing Medicare, for which he is eligible.
Staffers from both parties have strongly resisted giving up their
federal coverage for Obamacare.
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