HCR and Federal Employees Health Benefits

[AnnieBW]

My aunt and I are both Federal Employees, and are covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. She was telling me this evening that FEHB was going to be shut down, and all Federal Employees were going to be forced onto the Public Option. Now, I've been following the HCR debate pretty closely, mostly by reading DU and listening to Keith and Rachel. I've heard that some Congress-critters wanted to eliminate FEHB and force all Federal Employees into the PO, but I don't think it was in the final House bill. Was it? Because I'm suddenly starting to get nervous about this. I mean, I'm all for a public option for people whose employers don't have it. But, if they're going to force all Federal Employees onto it, I'm reconsidering it.

[annabanana]

1. And just exactly where did your aunt get this tidbit?

My DH has been a federal worker for the past 30+ years, and there is no notion of this anywhere in the workforce in DC or NYC . . .

I'm pretty sure we would have heard.

[pscot]

2. If any congress crittter offered an amendment like that

his staffers would put hemlock in his Ovaltine.

[CreekDog]

3. I want so badly to flame you like crazy for jumping to conclusions

and being a pawn in some manipulation based on lying.

it's ridiculous you even post this here.

it's a lie, and you can easily find out if it's a lie.

[Individualist]

4. Has your aunt been listening to Limbaugh?

[Salmonslayer]

5. What is the matter with having everyone on the same health plan

Why shouldn't all federal employees, including congress and the president, be given the same health plan as the rest of Americans on the PO. Wouldn't this help guarantee equality and ensure better care for ALL Americans on government health care/PO. Don't you think other Americans should have access to the health care our politicians have?

Isn't equal access a goal?

2nd post ever. I am not trying to be provocative. It is just an honest question. Maybe i am comparing apples and oranges, but, I don't see it that way.

[WillowTree]

6. And that would be a bad thing.......how?

I'm having trouble with the fact that you seem to think that the public option would be good enough for others, but not for you. Why do you think Federal employees are deserving of better healthcare options than you're willing to have provided to the rest of us?

[AnnieBW]

7. Because there are things in the Fed coverage that aren't in the PO

Like, oh, dental care.

I guess I wasn't being clear. The PO is for people that do not have insurance already, or can't get it because of a pre-existing condition. It's not meant to cover everything. It's a stopgap measure. At least for now. Frankly, I'm for Single Payer, so that everyone can get the same benefits that I do as a Federal Employee.

And oh, BTW, Senators and Congressmen DO NOT have the same plan that "normal" Federal Employees do. I can't just walk into Bethesda Naval Hospital and get a colonoscopy, like some Senators have. I don't get first-class cancer treatment. I get the same as someone who has health insurance through their company.

[bluethruandthru]

8. +1