E-Newsletter

This Week in Washington: Coal and Obamacare

Obamacare

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday, October 30 testified before my colleagues and me on the Energy and Commerce Committee on the rollout of the health care law.  Even after her testimony, more questions remain.

However, what Secretary Sebelius made clear to me was that she doesn’t want to join the exchanges and live under Obamacare like the rest of the American people.

I am supportive of a proposal which would require the President and his political appointees, including Secretary Sebelius, to live under Obamacare like Members of Congress and tens of millions of other Americans.  In my view, the President and his cabinet secretaries ought to also be in the marketplace or Obamacare exchanges after January 1.  In recent negotiations, a proposal similar to this was being discussed in the halls of Congress, but President Obama threatened to veto the proposal.

Hmmmmm.  President Obama would veto a bill that would make him and his family live under Obamacare.  It’s good for us, but not good for him!  Well isn’t that special.

Congressman Cory Gardner (R-CO), whose family’s individual health care plan has been cancelled, pushed Secretary Sebelius on why she – the architect of the health care law’s implementation – is not signing up for health care coverage through the law’s exchanges.  Secretary Sebelius, who is offered coverage by her employer as part of the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, replied, “If I have affordable coverage in my workplace, I'm not eligible to go into the marketplace. ... It’s illegal.”

Really?  Let’s see what Washington and Lee University of Law Professor Tim Jost had to say.  He told the Washington Post on October 30 that “She could purchase a plan on an exchange since she is lawfully present in the U.S. and not incarcerated,” however "She could not get premium tax credits both because she has employer coverage and because she is Medicare eligible.”

Congressman Billy Long (R-MO) also pushed Secretary Sebelius on this issue.  He asked, “Can you tell the American public – if your advisors behind you happen to have given you wrong information - if it is possible for you to go into the exchange like all these millions of Americans that are going into the exchanges, will you commit to forego your government insurance plan that you’re on now and join us in the pool?”  Secretary Sebelius essentially dodged the question, saying she “will take a look at it.”

Again I ask, “If Obamacare is good for the goose, why is it not good for the gander?”  President Obama, Secretary Sebelius, and other cabinet secretaries ought to join the federal marketplace so that they too are living under the health care law that they designed and now have the duty to implement and make work.

Coal

On Tuesday, October 29, I was proud to participate in the Stand Up for American Energy Jobs Rally sponsored by the National Mining Association, and join the thousands of coal miners, energy workers, and friends of coal who brought the fight for jobs and affordable energy to Washington.  It was wonderful to see folks from coalfields across America, particularly those from Virginia, who traveled to our nation’s capital to support this fight.

I hope that our message was heard by legislators in the House and the Senate, by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, and also by President Obama.  Those who wage the war on coal and coal-related industries ought to visit Central Appalachia, and see for themselves the devastating impact their harmful policies have on coal communities in the Ninth District and across Central Appalachia.  That and taking into consideration the cost to America’s manufacturers, industries, and even household electric bills should make them understand that the future of America is not against coal, but is with coal.  Until that time, I and other enlightened legislators in Congress will continue our fight against the war on coal.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office by email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.

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