Protection from Obamacare Mandates and Congressional Equity Act

This bill changes two main things about health insurance.

First, if you live in a county where fewer than two insurers sell plans on the health insurance exchange, you would be exempt from the rule that says you must maintain health coverage. Today, there is no federal penalty for going without coverage, but this would write that exemption into law going forward .

Second, it requires Members of Congress, all congressional staff, the President, the Vice President, and certain political appointees to buy their health insurance through the exchanges. The government could not chip in its usual employer share for their coverage, and they could not get more financial help than regular consumers are allowed. Lawmakers would also lose the ability to pick which of their employees must use the exchange—everyone on their staff would have to use it .

Key points

• Who is affected: People in counties with fewer than two exchange insurers; all Members of Congress and staff; the President, Vice President, and certain political appointees.
• What changes: Exemption from the coverage requirement in low-competition counties; required exchange enrollment for top federal officials and all congressional staff; no government employer contribution for those officials; no extra subsidies beyond what regular consumers can receive; lawmakers can’t choose which staff must enroll—everyone must .
• When: The coverage-rule exemption would start for months after the bill becomes law.