Protection from Obamacare Mandates and Congressional Equity Act

Protection from Obamacare Mandates and Congressional Equity Act

This bill alters provisions relating to the requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage (i.e., the individual mandate), as well as provisions relating to health care coverage for certain executive branch and congressional employees.

Specifically, the bill exempts individuals from the requirement to maintain minimum essential health care coverage if they reside in a county where fewer than two health insurers offer insurance on the health insurance exchange. Under current law, there is no penalty for failing to maintain minimum essential health care coverage.

The bill also requires certain executive branch and congressional employees to participate in health insurance exchanges. Under current law, Members of Congress and their designated staff are required to obtain coverage through health insurance exchanges, rather than the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Current regulations authorize government contributions toward such coverage and require Members of Congress to designate which members of their staff are required to obtain coverage through an exchange.

The bill requires all congressional staff, including employees of congressional committees and leadership offices, to obtain coverage through an exchange. The bill also prohibits Members of Congress from having the discretion to determine which of their employees are eligible to enroll through an exchange. Further, the President, Vice President, and executive branch political appointees must also obtain coverage through exchanges, rather than FEHB. The government is prohibited from contributing to or subsidizing the health insurance coverage of the officials and employees subject to this requirement, including Members of Congress and their staff.

Bill 119 HR 127 aims to make changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in relation to health insurance coverage. The bill proposes an exemption to the individual mandate for individuals living in counties with less than 2 health insurance issuers offering plans on an Exchange. This exemption would allow individuals in these counties to not be required to maintain health coverage.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision that would require Members of Congress and congressional staff to follow the guidelines set forth in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act regarding their health insurance coverage. This would ensure that lawmakers and their staff are subject to the same regulations and requirements as the general public when it comes to health insurance.

Overall, the purpose of Bill 119 HR 127 is to address issues related to health insurance coverage in counties with limited options and to ensure that Members of Congress and their staff are held to the same standards as the rest of the population under the Affordable Care Act.