House GOP Freshman Demands Gov't Health Care

http://www.andyharris.com

Updated at 4:25 p.m. ET

A conservative Maryland doctor who was elected to Congress this month after running against President Obama's health care overhaul raised some eyebrows on Capitol Hill Monday by inquiring about the status of his own government-provided health care, Politico reports.

Republican Andy Harris of Maryland's first congressional district was surprised to learn during yesterday's freshman orientation that he would not receive his government-subsidized health care coverage until Feb. 1, a month after he is sworn into office.

"He stood up and asked the two ladies who were answering questions why it had to take so long, what he would do without 28 days of health care," a congressional staffer told Politico.

According to Harris' spokesperson Anna Nix, Harris was pointing out the inefficiency of government-run health care. Nix said Harris said that "This is the only employer I've ever worked for where you don't get coverage the first day you are employed."

In fact, 74 percent of workers with employer-sponsored health benefits are subject to a waiting period before getting coverage, including 31 percent of whom face a waiting period of 3 months or more, according to a 2010 survey of of employer-sponsored health benefits, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust.

Harris, who during the election won the endorsement of the anti-"Obamacare" 60 Plus Association, is part of a freshman class of Republicans ushered into office after campaigning hard against the Democrats' health care reforms.

Republicans in both the House and the Senate are now plotting ways to roll back the extensive reforms.

---

Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[canislupus16]

Yo Harris, like get over yourself, a$$hole. I pay $10,000+ in health insurance premiums just for my wife and I, plus PCP and specialist co-pays, plus huge emergency room co-pays, plus enormous co-pays for prescriptions, and that doesn't include dental. What a dirtball scumbag with double standards.

No offense Republicans, but this is so typical of those of your party, railing against any manner of government programs but first in line for corporate welfare and taxpayer-funded health insurance.

[hhandyman]

Congress and all public officials retriment and health benifits should be the exact same as thos offerd the least of the citizens and NO better. unless he want to out of pocket cover it.

[mikelpond]

a republican whining about himself! and, it turns out, he doesn't give a sh$# about anyone but himself - who could have imagined such duplicity...oh, right, he's a republican.
nevermind

[hhandyman]

it was a year full time employment before i was allowed on the health care rolls I had workd there for 3 years part time first Let that doc wait in line or go on Obmama care when it its avaialble.. besides hes not a welfare patient under state care Or is he??

[beeker252]

Every jobs I've had I had to wait between 30 to 90 days before it takes effect. It varies among the companies' plan and their providers.
As for the federal government plan it is within the range of time frame to take effect. Incidentally he has to pay into it for his family's portion. Don't forget the taxpayers pays about 75% of the premium cost solely because he is an elected member of Congress.

[steeepe]

Why doesn't he just follow Bush's advice? Get sick, go to the emergency room.

[reiner52]

Folks keep refering to healthcare being a jobs benefit - while that may be true - but again, how can this repug be soooo concerned about his healthcare and not care about those many millions who do not have coverage? Those 40 plus million people do not deserve healthcare? Those millions of people who work hard everyday at low wage jobs but are not offered coverage though their job? Those millions who lost their jobs do not deserve coverage? Why do republicans not care about their fellow Americans?

[realist51]

wonder how he would feel if he was denied because of a pre-existing condition with himself or a family member? i've never heard of an employer doing a first day coverage of anything. he's lucky he doesn't have to go through a temp service for a year at a reduced wage with no benefits and then get hired with a 90 day probation and lose the year of service like alot of middle class have to endure when being hired. clueless is the word.

[endurorob_5]

As I said earlier, both my employers since I retired from the navy have provided first day coverage.

[historyisserious]

@Rob - As I said earlier, your evidence is anecdotal and therefore meaningless! Did the article say 100% of workers are subject to a waiting period? No? Then shut the hell up!

[endurorob_5]

by historyisserious November 17, 2010 7:37 AM EST
That's not the point. the point is that he's clueless. He's acting like NOBODY has to wait a month for their health care to kick in, which means he doesn't know anything about an issue he's supposed to make decisions on in Congress.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I don't know where that survey got their answers but the two large coporations I have worked for started providing benefits the day the employee (me) started paying into the plan.

[historyisserious]

congratulations on your anecdotal evidence proving absolutely nothing!

[factsplease1]

would you like to share the names of those 2 "big" corporations so people like me could research and see for ourselves the FACTS that they offer health insurance on day one of employment??

[reiner52]

Nothing new to see here - just another repug following the republican philosophy - 'I got mine, so screw you'. They are concerned about their own hide and do not give a damn about the 40 million without health care coverage.

[endurorob_5]

Once again, his medical coverage is a benefit of the job not an entitlement.

[historyisserious]

Everyone's talking about entitlement, everybody's point of view is that health care is something those other selfish people want.

Nobody realizes that America is a team and we'd be a much stronger team if we took care of our sick people.

This country is going to fall apart because all these idiots think individualism will solve the problems of the group.

[endurorob_5]

Actually it is personal responsibility that would solve the problems of the group. And when you give things to people then they no longer have the personal responsibility to provide for themselves.

[historyisserious]

@rob - maybe you should have the personal responsibility of building all the roads you need to get around, then.