On Friday night Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, introduced H.R. 4951 (PDF file), which would fix the loophole that exempted certain staff, as well as Administration officials, from participating in the exchanges created by the Democrats' flawed health care bill. Burgess' bill, which has 26 original co-sponsors, including Republican Leader John Boehner, requires participation by the President, Vice President, political appointees, all Members of Congress, and all Congressional staff, including committee and leadership staff.

"I believe that the expansion of government control over health care was the wrong approach to take in health reform," Burgess said. "Regardless, the Democrats' flawed bill is now the law of the land, and if Americans must abide by the law, then all Members of Congress and their staff, as well as the President, Vice President, and political appointees, should also. If this exchange is good enough for millions of Americans, as Democrats contend, then it should be good enough for the politicians who pushed so hard for this bill's passage."

"Over the objection of the American people, President Obama and Democrats in Washington have forced through an unpopular, unaffordable health reform bill that is propped up by backroom deals. One of those deals ensured that these same individuals don't have to get the government health care that they force millions of Americans into. This is wrong, and Dr. Burgess' bill would fix this loophole," Leader Boehner said.

On page 157 of the Democrats' health bill, a provision mandates that Members of Congress and their staff purchase insurance within the health insurance exchanges. Unfortunately, the definition of "congressional staff" can be interpreted to exempt shared employees, leadership staff, and committee staff. The President, Vice President and Executive Branch appointees are also curiously exempt from participation in the exchanges. Burgess' bill closes this loophole.

"My bill closes the loophole that exempts certain individuals from being covered by plans operating in an exchange. Congress and this Administration should stop asking the American people to make sacrifices they are not willing to make themselves," Burgess continued.

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, who has attempted numerous times to fix this loophole, introduced companion legislation in the Senate, S. 3174.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, and a member of the Health and Energy & Environment subcommittees. He is also a member of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.


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