Starting 1/1/14, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will make Congress members and their staffs buy their own health insurance (for the first time ever!). And they have to use the new public exchanges to do it. BUT.. they’re all in a tizzy about what it’s going to cost them and are looking for ways to squirrel out of participating in the law that they passed.
These exchanges, also known as “marketplaces,” are part of the ACA, and are being established by 19 states (the rest are letting the federal government run it for them), presumably so that everyone will have a simple, easy way to compare and select competitively priced health insurance coverage. So far, there’s nothing simple or easy — or affordable — about it!
Currently, the federal government pays for health insurance for those on Capitol Hill. But the ACA changes the rules that govern how they buy their insurance. They could be paying for their own insurance… just like the rest of us! It’s likely that this could cause a number of politicians to get out of Washington in favor of rejoining the working class! Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Finance Committee which wrote the ACA has already announced he’ll be resigning next year!! Read all about their reactions to their own rules in this Politico article.
Of course, a lot is still in the TBD pile – including just how much our friends in Congress and their aides will be treated like the rest of us when it comes to getting a helping hand with their health insurance premiums. These ever-changing health insurance regulations are also presenting a lot of confusion for many of us regular consumers. A lot of people are concerned that buying health insurance through the marketplaces will increase their premiums and get them less coverage. I’m sure you’ve heard as much noise about this as I have!
The Insurance Mom doesn’t want you to feel terribly ill about any of this… have a little chicken soup. I’m here to answer your questions about the ACA and how it affects your health insurance and your finances. If you’re in CA, give me a call at (323) 654-2207 if you have any questions about what new health coverage laws mean for you and yours!
