Media falsely claim Obama and staff are "exempt" from health care reform

[NNN0LHI]

http://mediamatters.org/research/2010/03/25/media-falsely-claim-obama-and-staff-are-exempt/162248

March 25, 2010 11:06 AM EDT ››› JOCELYN FONG

Media have falsely claimed President Obama, members of his administration, and certain congressional staff are "exempt" from the recently enacted health care bill. In fact, the bill subjects the White House, members of Congress, and their staffs to the same reforms and requirements as the rest of the American people.

White House, Congress, and federal employees are subject to same health care reforms applied to American people

White House, Congress required to carry health insurance like everyone else. Starting in 2014, Americans will be required to have minimum health insurance coverage, with exemptions for certain people with religious objections or the inability to afford coverage. The bill does not exempt government employees such as leaders and staffers at the White House and Congress.

Insurers covering government workers will be subject to insurance regulations. The insurers participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, through which federal workers obtain health coverage, are not exempt from the regulations imposed by the bill on insurers. These regulations include prohibitions on lifetime limits on coverage and denial of coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, and the requirement to spend 80-85 percent of premiums on medical claims, among others.

White House, Congress subject to applicable taxes. The health care bill includes increased Medicare taxes on those with incomes over $200,000. The bill also includes an excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored plans and a tax on indoor tanning services. The White House and Congress are not exempt from these taxes.

Only Congress and congressional staff are restricted to the exchange plans

[freshwest]

1. We should swamp Fox, Politico and the other sources in the article with calls, emails and posting..

To disprove these corporate lies being made to sway the electorate and distort the facts to terrify low-information voters.

[Wounded Bear]

2. Boner's gonna hate that tax increase on tanning beds, isn't he...nt