Paul Sanchez
There is a common misconception that members of Congress receive free health care. In reality, they choose a gold-level Obamacare policy and receive federal subsidies that cover 72% of the cost of the premiums. This means that members of Congress pay approximately 28% of their annual healthcare premiums through pre-tax payroll deductions. They also have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician and free outpatient care at military facilities in the D.C. area. While members of Congress do receive generous health benefits, these are not exclusively available to them and are comparable to those enjoyed by employees of large companies. This raises the question: why not offer similar benefits to all Americans?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Congressional members receive free healthcare | False |
| Congressional members receive high-quality healthcare | True |
| Congressional members can receive free outpatient care at military facilities | True, but only in the Capital region |
| Congressional members can receive free inpatient care at military facilities | False, billed at rates set by the Department of Defense |
| Congressional members can choose any health insurance plan | False, they must choose a gold-level Obamacare policy |
| Congressional members pay for their health insurance | True, but only 28% of the cost |
| Congressional members have access to free or low-cost care | True, through the Office of the Attending Physician |
| Congressional members have access to 300 different private healthcare plans | True |
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What You'll Learn
- Congressional members do not receive free healthcare
- Members of Congress pay 28% of their annual healthcare premiums
- They have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician
- Members of Congress can purchase private health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
- House and Senate members can receive free outpatient care at military hospitals
Congressional members do not receive free healthcare
Despite what some people may believe, Congressional members do not receive free healthcare. They do, however, have access to federal subsidies that cover 72% of the cost of their premiums. This means that members of Congress pay approximately 28% of their annual healthcare premiums through pre-tax payroll deductions. They also have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician, as well as free medical outpatient care at military facilities in the Washington, D.C. area.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) offers about 300 different private healthcare plans, including government-wide, fee-for-service plans and regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. All plans cover hospital, surgical, physician, and mental health services, prescription drugs, and "catastrophic" coverage against very large medical expenses. Members of Congress are allowed to purchase private health insurance through this program, which covers more than 8 million other federal employees, retirees, and their families.
While it is true that Congressional members have good health insurance, it is not free and is not exclusive to them. In fact, the law places an additional requirement on Congress that doesn't pertain to other Americans with employer-provided healthcare. Furthermore, the rising cost of health insurance has made it less common for employers to pay for their employees' premiums in full. In 2016, Forbes found that only 9% of employers were still covering the full cost of their workers' health insurance, down from 34% in 2001.
It is worth noting that there are some additional benefits available to Congressional members. For example, House and Senate members (but not their families) are eligible to receive care at military hospitals, with no charge for outpatient care at Washington, D.C. area hospitals. However, inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.
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Members of Congress pay 28% of their annual healthcare premiums
Members of Congress do not receive free health care. They choose a gold-level Obamacare policy and receive federal subsidies that cover 72% of the cost of the premiums. In other words, they pay approximately 28% of their annual healthcare premiums through pre-tax payroll deductions. They also have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician as well as free medical outpatient care at military facilities in the D.C. area.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) offers about 300 different private healthcare plans, including five government-wide, fee-for-service plans and many regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, plus high-deductible, tax-advantaged plans. All plans cover hospital, surgical and physician services, and mental health services, prescription drugs, and "catastrophic" coverage against very large medical expenses. House and Senate members (but not their families) are also eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.
The ACA has placed an additional requirement on Congress that does not pertain to other Americans with employer-provided healthcare. While members of Congress have good health insurance, it is not free and not reserved only for them – and it’s not government insurance. House and Senate members are allowed to purchase private health insurance offered through the FEHBP, which covers more than 8 million other federal employees, retirees, and their families.
The rising cost of health insurance has been a burden on employers, and fewer and fewer people are receiving health insurance from their employers. In 2001, 34% of employers paid for 100% of their employees' premiums. In 2016, this dropped to only 9% of employers. Republicans have also weighed cuts to the Medicaid health program, which could dramatically affect the coverage of 71 million low-income people.
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They have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician
Contrary to popular belief, Congressional members do not receive free health care. They do, however, have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician. This is in addition to the federal subsidies they receive, which cover 72% of the cost of their premiums.
The Office of the Attending Physician is located in the United States Capitol and provides medical care to members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and other staff of Congress. The office offers a range of services, including routine health screenings, immunizations, and treatment for minor illnesses or injuries.
As part of their benefits package, members of Congress can choose from a variety of private health insurance plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). This program is available to over 8 million federal employees, retirees, and their families. While it is not a "single-payer" system, the FEHBP offers about 300 different private health care plans, including government-wide fee-for-service plans, regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, and high-deductible, tax-advantaged options.
In addition to the FEHBP, members of Congress and their staff also have access to free medical outpatient care at military facilities in the Washington, D.C., area, such as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center.
While members of Congress do not receive entirely free health care, they do enjoy comprehensive health benefits that are subsidized by the federal government and supplemented by the services provided by the Office of the Attending Physician. These benefits ensure that they have access to quality healthcare at a reduced cost.
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Members of Congress can purchase private health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
The FEHBP offers about 300 different private healthcare plans, including five government-wide, fee-for-service plans, and many regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. All plans cover hospital, surgical, physician, and mental health services, prescription drugs, and "catastrophic" coverage against very large medical expenses. The program also ensures that no one can be refused or charged more for pre-existing conditions, and dependents under 26 are covered.
Members of Congress are subject to the same requirements as citizens purchasing insurance on the Exchanges, including individual responsibility. They are also eligible to receive care at military hospitals for outpatient care at no charge at Washington, D.C., area hospitals. Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.
The OPM has the statutory authority to administer health benefits to federal employees, including Members of Congress and congressional staff. The OPM ensures that any health insurance purchased by a Member of Congress or a congressional staffer is paid for by the individual rather than from government contributions.
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House and Senate members can receive free outpatient care at military hospitals
Contrary to popular belief, Congressional members do not receive free health care. They choose a gold-level Obamacare policy and receive federal subsidies that cover 72% of the cost of the premiums. They also have access to free or low-cost care through the Office of the Attending Physician.
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) offers about 300 different private health care plans, including five government-wide, fee-for-service plans and many regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. All plans cover hospital, surgical, physician, and mental health services, prescription drugs, and "catastrophic" coverage against very large medical expenses. House and Senate members are allowed to purchase insurance through this program, which covers more than 8 million other federal employees, retirees, and their families.
While members of Congress have access to good health insurance, it is not free, and they are not exempt from the health care law. They are required to purchase private insurance through the exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), just like other Americans with employer-provided health care.
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Frequently asked questions
No, members of Congress do not receive free health insurance. They pay approximately 28% of their annual healthcare premiums through pre-tax payroll deductions.
Members of Congress can choose from about 300 different private health care plans offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). This includes government-wide fee-for-service plans, regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, and high-deductible, tax-advantaged plans.
Yes, members of Congress have access to free or low-cost outpatient care at military facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. They may also receive care at military hospitals, although inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.
Members of Congress have good health insurance by any standard, but it is not significantly different from what other federal employees or employees of large companies may receive.
Congressional medical insurance is not a "single-payer" system where the government acts as the sole health insurance provider. It offers a wide range of private health care plans, which may not be feasible or desirable to offer to all Americans. Extending the same insurance options to all Americans would also likely come with significant costs and logistical challenges.
