House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised that we would find out what is in the health care reform bill after it passed. And, true to her promise, certain provisions are now coming
to light, including one that exempts certain Congressional staff.
According to the Hotline, Congressional staff who work for committees or leadership offices are specifically exempt from the mandates imposed by health care reform to enroll in government provided health care reform plans.
“The loophole for leadership staffers could impact thousands of Hill employees. There are 16 active leadership offices in the House and 26 in the Senate, according to the government transparency website LegiStorm. Some are small, with just a few employees. Others are much larger; Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid 54 employees a total of $1.1M in the last quarter of ’09, while House Min. Leader John Boehner paid his 26 staffers a total of $721K in the same quarter.
“Leaving out committee staffers means aides at the 24 standing House committees and the 20 Senate panels will each be exempted as well, if CRS’s interpretation of the measure stands.”
(Read more from associatedcontent.com)