Linda Douglass of the White House Office of Health Reform answers a question from outside the recent town hall in New Hampshire on why Congress voted to exempt themselves from reform. This is a myth: there is no exemption and there has not been any such vote. To the contrary, reform gives all Americans access to an insurance exchange much like the one Congress has enjoyed, and just like Congress, Americans will be free to make their own choices.
Transcript
Linda Douglass, White House Office of Health Reform: Hi, I’m Linda Douglass from the White House Office of Health Reform and the president did a town hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire the other day and a lot of people didn’t get inside and they have questions for the white house so we’re trying to answer some of them and here is one from Bianca.
Questioner: Hello, my name is Bianca Garcia, and I was just curious because – why did Congress vote to exempt themselves from the same health care plan that they want for the American people. That’s my question and I’d appreciate your answer.
Linda Douglass: Well, Bianca, Congress has not taken a vote to exempt itself from health insurance reform and what members of Congress have right now is a choice of plans. They can shop around for a plan that works for them and for their family members and what Americans, especially Americans who do not have adequate health insurance are going to get under Health Insurance Reform, is exactly that. So, under Health Insurance Reform, Americans will have more choices – more choices and affordable plans just as members of Congress do. So, Bianca, I hope that answers your question and if you have anymore questions please come to whitehouse.gov where we have a whole series of questions and answers that people have been sending into us and I hope we’re answering those questions for you.
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