Originally Posted by
Joseph Michalski
Lewis, I am not aware of any plan offered under FEHB that is exclusive to Members of Congress. As a Capitol Hill staffer off and on for a decade, my boss was on the same Aetna plan that I was on, copays included.
I am not familiar with a special "Congressional" category of programs offered exclusively to Members, and even the National Taxpayers Union doesn't purport that such exists. Maybe my boss just didn't want to partake and those options were not considered, but I don't recall anything any different for him than I had in my packet.
If you're telling me that there is a medical facility near the capitol that provides services to Members of Congress, well...ok. (Although only two of the most senior members were mentioned in the article, which sounds more like something done for high ranking gov't officials). If they are better than the standard care offered at the hospital, then that isn't right since funds at he hospital are being diverted, but I have a feeling that has more to do with the hospital administration than Congress insisting on such benefits.
I can't get all cranked up that Walter Reed let Strom stay for 3 months while he was basically dying and needed constant attention. If I am supposed to be scandalized that he was charged the 'basic' rate, then I guess I am just jaded, cause I don't see the big deal.
And what kind of VIP treatment is being surrounded with a painting by Eisenhower and photos of famous people, anyway? If that was all I got as a VIP, I'd feel slighted!
(Yes, I'm aware of the other reports about WR, I was making a joke)
Like I said, yes their retirement benefits are marginally better (mostly in rate of payout)
Few Members retire at 50 (and they can only collect if they have 20 years of service, and what member with 20 years seniority retires at age 50?), and many remain active well into their 70s or 80s, so that 'benefit' isn't much used, I would think (although I don't have a study).
Raises are a separate issue entirely.
Joe, Things may have changed, when Congress gets caught giving themselves special privileges then they sometimes do change the policy, but maybe you can explain why members of Congress, who you say have no more health benefits than other Federal Employees, are eligible for treatment at Military Hospitals, like Walter Reed, Madigan, and others?
If the Health Benefits are the same then why can't other Federal Employees receive care at Military Medical Centers and why do Members of Congress receive VIP Treatment when our troops receive so much less? If a member of Congress needs a VIP room for three months, then let him get that room in a Civilian Facility that provides service to other Federal Employees, not the Military, especially during times of War. You can bet your ass than no politician would ever put up with the treatment and conditions that many of our troops and vets have to put up with.
Here's an article about the Priority for treatment at Military Hospitals, like Walter Reed ARMY Medical Center, members of Congress are not mentioned.
Patient Priority at Military Treatment Facilities - Military Benefits - Military.com
"The Walter Reed Health Care System (WRHCS) is an integrated health care delivery system offering MILITARY families, in and around Washington, D.C., access to quality, comprehensive medical care. It is a partnership of the Army medical facilities at Fort Belvoir in Northern Virginia, Fort Meade in Maryland, and Walter Reed in Washington, DC."
Walter Reed Health Care System, Walter Reed Army Medical Center