Rubio Enrolls In Obamacare, Takes Federal Subsidy - TampaBayTimes

[WillyT]

Rubio enrolls in Obamacare, takes federal subsidy
Alex Leary - Tampa Bay Times
Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:59pm

<snip>

One of Obamacare's biggest critics is now officially covered under the federal health care exchange: Sen. Marco Rubio.

"Senator Rubio spent time looking at all the options and decided to enroll through the D.C. exchange for coverage for him and his family," spokeswoman Brooke Sammon told the Tampa Bay Times.

Rubio, a father of four, also took the federal subsidy afforded to lawmakers and staff — a perk worth up to 75 percent of monthly premium costs — that some Republicans wanted to kill off. Even some lawmakers who have enrolled in the exchange have rejected the taxpayer-funded employer contribution.

Sammon did not say what led Rubio to decide the health care plan was better than what he could have gotten on his own, and Rubio could not be reached Tuesday. But those who wanted to keep their employer coverage — and that generous subsidy — were directed to use the exchange, called DC Health Link.

In addition to the subsidy, Rubio and other federal employees got to pick from far more plans than ordinary people and had access to special customer service to ease their sign ups.

"Senator Rubio is following the law, even though he opposes it," Sammon said.

That Rubio even had to switch from the existing federal plan to the exchange is thanks to Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who amended the Affordable Care Act to require members of Congress and staff join the exchange. It was viewed as a way to needle Democrats, but Democrats accepted the change.

<snip>

Link: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/rubio-enrolls-in-obamacare-takes-federal-subsidy/2156529

[snooper2]

1. Greatness

say bye bye teabaggers

[underpants]

2. Hilarious

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. The poor baby took the subsidy... no boot straps for him I guess

He took the commie subsidy.

[frazzled]

4. It's really employer contribution, not a subsidy

He wouldn't have been eligible for a regular subsidy, like the rest of us, with his income (unless he has a slew of kids; I dunno).

Members of Congress and their staffs (certain of their staff, at least) always received employer-based insurance, through the Federal Employees Insurance system, like all federal workers. And the government, as the employer, kicked in part of the premium.

Republicans forced a provision in the ACA that would require all members of Congress to get their insurance on the exchange, but it then became an issue as to whether they would get an exemption so that they could still receive the employer contribution. It was decided that they would.

Still, I guess it's a "subsidy." Just different than the income-based subsidies everyone else is applying for.

[NightWatcher]

5. apparently they are all signing up for it.

but I thought it was an evil marxist, socialist, communist plot to kill grandma???

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/12/09/whats-congress-doing-about-its-own-health-care/

– All top congressional leaders — Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — and their leadership deputies will receive coverage through the District’s exchange, known as DC Health Link

<snip>

[WillyT]

6. Yes... Here's Why...

That Rubio even had to switch from the existing federal plan to the exchange is thanks to Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who amended the Affordable Care Act to require members of Congress and staff join the exchange. It was viewed as a way to needle Democrats, but Democrats accepted the change.

As the law headed toward implementation, however, there was a question about the employer contribution, fears growing among Hill staffers who were facing big increases. The Obama administration stepped in and said it would continue the benefit. That saved Rubio and his family a lot, no doubt.

From OP Article/

[WillyT]

7. LOL !!! - More Here:

Link: http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/12/marco_rubio_signs_up_for_obama.php