On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, was asked during an event in Mount Ayr why her constituents could not have the same insurance she has as a member of Congress.
Axne said that she is unhappy with the Obamacare insurance she currently has.
“First and foremost, you really don’t want what I have, because I don’t get good insurance. It’s okay insurance. Just so you know, congresspeople, we have to purchase from the ACA (Affordable Care Act), we purchase from the network so my staff’s insurance is way better than mine, just FYI,” Axne said.
“So I would want better insurance quite honestly for people than what I have,” she added.
Axne then told the constituent that there should be a public option with Medicare or Medicaid, but still keep competition with private insurance.
“A lot of people with private insurance want to keep it,” she noted.
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When Congress passed Obamacare, it required members of Congress and select staffers purchase a gold-tier plan through the D.C. exchange. They also receive a taxpayer-funded subsidy that covers 72 percent of their premium.
Members of Congress can also receive medical care through the Office of the Attending Physician Services, a medical clinic where Navy doctors provide primary health care, including pharmaceutical services, for members of Congress who pay an annual fee (in 2017 this was $600). They can also receive free medical outpatient services at military facilities in the D.C. area.
