Rep. Stefanik Cosponsors Legislation to Remove Health Care Exemption for Members of Congress in AHCA

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., issued the following news release:

Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) cosponsored legislation that would make a correction to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) as amended that exempts Members of Congress from the same rules all other states would be subjected to if the AHCA becomes law.

Due to a drafting requirement, the MacArthur Amendment to the AHCA would allow states to opt out of certain Obamacare regulations but exempt Members of Congress and their staff.

"Congress should live by the same laws it passes onto the rest of the nation," said Congresswoman Stefanik. "This is why I receive my healthcare through the Obamacare exchanges, though I decline the Congressional subsidy. This commonsense legislation would ensure Members of Congress do not receive special treatment if the AHCA becomes law."

This legislation, introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ-02), is a simple, two-page bill (https://mcsally.house.gov/sites/mcsally.house.gov/files/2017.4.26%20McSally%20Exemption%20Draft.pdf) that says when the AHCA becomes law, the section exempting members of Congress and congressional staff from the waivers is repealed.