The Good, The Bad And The Infuriating Aspects Of Ted Cruz Signing Up For Obamacare

Posted by | March 25, 2015 08:00 | Filed under: Bob Cesca Contributors Opinion Politics Top Stories

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On one hand, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) signing up for an Obamacare health insurance policy is fantastic news. As we discussed yesterday, Cruz had a number of options at his disposal after losing his health insurance coverage due to his wife taking a leave of absence from Goldman Sachs. And no, he isn’t required to buy an Obamacare policy, so he absolutely had options.

But before we recap his options, it’s important to underscore that contrary to what many observers were suggesting throughout the day Tuesday, no — the law does not mandate that all members of Congress and their staffers enroll in an Obamacare exchange plan. Or else. The law merely states that exchange plans are the only plans offered to congressional employees, including members of Congress. Here’s the text from the ACA (emphasis mine):

SEC. 1312. CONSUMER CHOICE. (d)(3)(D) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE EXCHANGE-

(i) REQUIREMENT- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the effective date of this subtitle, the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are–

(I) created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or

(II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act).

In other words, members of Congress can do whatever they want, but the government is no longer offering the old Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) to members and their staff — only the exchange plans under Obamacare. And since the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is continuing to pay 72 percent of the premiums (the truth behind the so-called “Obamacare exemption for Congress”), the best value for members and especially staffers is to sign up for an Obamacare plan.

If Cruz doesn’t have to sign up for an Obamacare plan, what were Cruz’s other non-Obamacare options?

He could’ve immediately enrolled in… CONTINUE READING

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Copyright 2015 Liberaland
By: Bob Cesca

Bob Cesca is the managing editor at The Daily Banter (www.thedailybanter.com) and a Huffington Post contributor since 2005. He's worked in journalism since 1988 as a print writer/editor, a radio news anchor, a digital media columnist/editor, a book author and blogger. He's the co-host of the Bubble Genius Bob & Chez Show podcast and a Thursday regular on the syndicated Stephanie Miller Show. He's appeared on numerous other radio shows including the John Phillips Show and Geraldo Rivera Show in Los Angeles. Bob has been a commentator/analyst on the BBC (TV and radio), MSNBC, Current TV, CNN and Sky News. Following him on Twitter: @bobcesca_go

13 responses to The Good, The Bad And The Infuriating Aspects Of Ted Cruz Signing Up For Obamacare

  1. Abby Normal March 25th, 2015 at 08:15

    Why would a Canadian sign up for Obamacare? Canada has a much better system.

  2. Suzanne McFly March 25th, 2015 at 08:29

    This guy is supposed to be brilliant, but yet to save a few bucks he signs up for the program that he has screamed for its destruction. The one thing he is most known for is working to completely destroy the ACA and he is now using it. Why have an election? Whoever our nominee will be for the democratic party has just won.

    • Larry Schmitt March 26th, 2015 at 08:05

      Just like the red-state goobers who continue to vote for republicans against their own interests, he will continue to vote to repeal the ACA.

      • Suzanne McFly March 26th, 2015 at 08:33

        They deserve him, but the rest of us don’t.

  3. jybarz March 25th, 2015 at 08:31

    I would like to see from hereon if he’ll continue his BS about Obamacare. It will be a monumental hypocrisy if he does. But, I think he’ll continue to do so because he is a pathological liar… he is a repuke after all.

  4. arc99 March 25th, 2015 at 11:04

    The prevailing sentiment in the comments of the right wing blogs I have read is that Sen. Cruz was “forced” to sign up for the ACA so this news is no big deal. Of course, anyone with a brain or to be a redundant, anyone more interested in the truth than in hating the President, already knew what this article confirms; e.g. Cruz had several options other than signing up for the ACA.

    Faced with several available options to provide health insurance for his family, he chose the ACA.

    ObamaCare is working and not even the TeaParty messiah from Texas can deny it.

    • Larry Schmitt March 26th, 2015 at 08:06

      I’d like someone to post that picture of his arm being twisted as he signed up for health insurance.

  5. anothertoothpick March 25th, 2015 at 11:31

    Not too long ago people like cruiser would be judged criminally insane and be forced into institutions as a danger to themselves and others. They would then become lobotomy patience. Which would put them into a state of happiness.

    Now a days these same people just run for the repub nomination for the president of the US.

    What makes this even worse is people that agree with him.

    • fahvel March 25th, 2015 at 11:41

      Bedlam was his nursery school.

      • bpollen March 25th, 2015 at 22:41

        Where he made mince pies from children’s thighs for which to feed the fairies!

  6. fancypants March 26th, 2015 at 02:28

    And since the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is continuing to pay 72 percent of the premiums (the truth behind the so-called “Obamacare exemption for Congress”)

    ————————————————————–
    the actual truth is… ted is still on united states tax payer funded healthcare ( at least 72% of it )

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