While millions of Americans struggle with the pitfalls of Obamacare and are frustrated by bungled government health care exchanges, Obamacare co-architect and cheerleader Harry Reid has exempted many of his staff from buying insurance through the exchanges.
In September, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Reid told reporters, "Let's stop these really juvenile political games -- the one dealing with health care for Senators and House members and our staff. We are going to be part of exchanges, that's what the law says and we'll be part of that."
According to Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson, under the Affordable Care Act a Senator can allow that their committee and leadership staffers keep their attractive federalemployee insurance plans. Reid has exercised that option. Jentleson said, “We are just following the law."
Republicans will be targeting Reid for his hypocrisy, with one Republican senate aide remarking, "I'm sure that regular Americans who just lost their insurance will feel comforted to know that Senator Reid's staff gets to keep their government plan.”
Reid is alone among top congressional leaders to grant such privilege to his staff. Congressional aides for GOP House Speaker John Boehner, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell all encouraged their staff to get their insurance from the exchanges.
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