09/27/13 Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02) Wednesday announced her support for the James Madison Congressional Accountability Act to prevent the Administration, Members of Congress, and congressional staff from receiving a special subsidy to minimize personal insurance cost increases in the Obamacare health insurance exchange. This bill, authored by Congressman Ron DeSantis, was crafted in response to the Office of Personnel Management’s ruling that allows Members of Congress and their staff to receive taxpayer-funded partial subsidies for health insurance plans offered in the exchange.
“The Administration should not be allowed to pick winners and losers when it comes to enforcing Obamacare. If the White House thinks it is appropriate to permit exemptions for the very individuals responsible for crafting this unworkable legislation, then the same privilege should be applied to the rest of the American people,” said Walorski. “The bottom line is flawed Obamacare policies should not be forced on anyone, and this law should be defunded and repealed to prevent further damage to hardworking families and the economy.”
On October 1st, open enrollment for the state and federal Obamacare insurance exchanges begins. For a sixth month period, individuals and small business owners will be permitted to shop for insurance plans in the exchanges, ahead of the January 1, 2014 requirement that all U.S. residents obtain health care coverage.
Key portions of the law have been delayed due to lack of preparation, and projected costs are skyrocketing. In Indiana, the average cost of health plans is expected to increase by 72 percent. The Obama Administration has selectively exempted multiple groups from fully participating in Obamacare, including labor unions, associations, and various self-insured employers, to protect them from the harmful impacts of the law. The Administration has already signed seven bills passed by the House of Representatives to dismantle portions of Obamacare, including legislation to repeal onerous mandates burdening small businesses and protect taxpayer-dollars.
