Great picture going viral on Facebook today

[garybeck]

[FSogol]

1. K & R. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. LOVE it!

[City Lights]

3. K&R. eom

[lynne]

4. While I appreciate the sentiment, the info isn't quite accurate -

- members of congress don't receive free health care. They don't receive free health insurance. They can participate in the Federal Health Benefits program that all federal employees participate in with their premium payments being deducted from their salary. As its a blanket policy provided through their employer, the employer does pay a portion of their premium and the rate is less than an individual policy.

http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/health-care-for-members-of-congress/

[Lint Head]

5. No health care is free and health insurance is a scam.

[elleng]

22. No, NOT free.

[SomethingFishy]

6. Yeah not quite.. the government only pays 72% of their premiums

at least according to the info you posted:
"On average, the government pays 72 percent of the premiums for its workers, up to a maximum of 75 percent"

I would never begrudge anyone such a great deal... unless they happen to be complaining about "entitlements".

[garybeck]

7. not to mention that outpatient hospital visits in the DC area area all free. n't

[elleng]

23. Don't think so; % employee paid, depending on selected plan.

[garybeck]

39. nope. read factcheck.org:

House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center).

http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/health-care-for-members-of-congress/

[elleng]

40. FactCheck says:

'Q: What type of health insurance do members of Congress receive? Is it a single-payer, government-run system?

A: Members of Congress are covered by private insurance under the same system that covers all federal workers.

Members of Congress have good health insurance by any standard, but it’s not free and not reserved only for them – and it’s not government insurance. House and Senate members are allowed to purchase private health insurance offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which covers more than 8 million other federal employees, retirees and their families. . .

Congressional Research Service adds: the FEHBP offers about 300 different private health care plans, including five government-wide, fee-for-service plans and many regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, plus high-deductible, tax-advantaged plans. All plans cover hospital, surgical and physician services, and mental health services, prescription drugs and "catastrophic" coverage against very large medical expenses. There are no waiting periods for coverage when new employees are hired, and there are no exclusions for preexisting conditions. The FEHBP negotiates contracts annually with all insurance companies who wish to participate. There is plenty of competition for the business; FEHBP is the largest employer-sponsored health plan in the U.S.

Those who don’t like their coverage may switch to another plan during a yearly "open season" period. . .'

IN ADDITION, FactCheck says:

'In addition, members of Congress also qualify for some medical benefits that ordinary federal workers do not. They (but not their families) are eligible to receive limited medical services from the Office of the Attending Physician of the U.S. Capitol, after payment of an annual fee ($491in 2007). But services don’t include surgery, dental care or eyeglasses, and any prescriptions must be filled at the member’s expense.

House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.'

---------------------------

And I'm sure congresscritters don't run to WalterReed etc when they're in their home territories.

[Bandit]

11. When the Government provides everything... it is Free

You can say they pay part from their salary but the Government pays their salary, plus their pension and their sick leave and their vacation leave and free postage for mailing out their campaign literature, etc. etc. etc. The Government as in "we the people" provide everything for them... Everything..

[Cid_B]

15. Bullshit...

Is my military paycheck an "entitlement?"

I earned it by doing my job along with my other benefits, that include health care...

[Alcibiades]

16. Yes, yes it is.

A lot of folks who work for the government have made the mistake of voting Republican over the years, sucked in by the idea that there's a lot of entitlements that need to be cut. Only now do we learn the truth: the benefits of federal workers and retirees, to include the military, are entitlements. Maybe not your paycheck--all they will do that is to freeze it for the foreseeable future--but pensions, Tricare, Thrift Savings, etc., are all "entitlements" and therefore "fair game." That is already in the works, and the supercommittee will decide who earned what and how much they earned, which may be much less than what they thought they were getting as they earned it.

I have had some long conversations with my dad, a retired Army aviator, about this very issue, particularly with regard to why everyone needs access to healthcare. His reply is always "I earned it." He's pretty much collected checks from the government his entire life, and will continue to do so for a very long time, and I cannot get him to understand that maybe some of the folks who pay the taxes that has funded him through 50 years and three marriages might also deserve a deal that resembles something along the lines of what he's always had, not because they "earned it," but as a basic human right.

[Cid_B]

27. Ridiculous...

Your father is right by the way....

He did earn it and I understand why he would be hesitant to just dish out the same thing to someone who hasn't done squat...

[stillwaiting]

28. You are on the wrong board

Peace out...

[kenfrequed]

36. Yeah

The working poor doesnt do squat. Why should we give them anything? Ever?

Exactly what kind of progressive are you on this progressive democratic board?

[greiner3]

43. DUH;

Is my military paycheck an "entitlement?"


What do you think 'entitlement' means?

If I put money into a system-Social Security-expecting to receive income at a later, and predetermined date, does that not make it an entitlement also? If they cut Social Security, amount paid and age limit requirements, do you seriously think they will not come after veterans' benefits too? Come on, think.

Ad reductio absurdum.

[fasttense]

30. Yes, Congress critters get FREE health care

You did NOT read all the way down on your link. http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/health-care-for-members-of-congress/

Make a note of this because everyone is claiming that congress does NOT get FREE health care when they assuredly do.

"House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.

And after having been in a military hospital for 3 months, I can tell you the inpatient care rate is subterranean low. We are talking about mere dollars a day.

So yes, Virginia there is a Santa Clause. His name is Uncle Sam and he's only for Congress. Yes, your congress critter, while trying to take your medical benefits away, does receive FREE health care.

[kenfrequed]

34. Ding Ding Ding!

I am acknowledging this subthread just to assure that someone actually looks at it!

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. Oh yeah - thats a keeper!

No to mention, they can start dipping into their pension at age 55 and are fully vested after 5 years of service (3 House elections, 1 Senate)

[lsewpershad]

9. Great

[Major Hogwash]

10. And, the best part is, it's true!!!!!!

Pass that on to your friends.

[gateley]

12. Is their health care really free? I thought that they, like many

who have insurance through their employers, choose from the plans offered and pay a premium (plus co-pays, etc). Was I incorrect in that assumption? Is it really totally free?

[elleng]

24. You're correct; 'ees pay premiums and co-pays, NOT totally free.

[fasttense]

31. Yes, Congress critters get FREE health care

Make a note of this because everyone is claiming that congress does NOT get FREE health care when they assuredly do. http://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/health-care-for-members-of-congress/

"House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.

And after having been in a military hospital for 3 months, I can tell you the inpatient care rate is subterranean low. We are talking about mere dollars a day.

So yes, Virginia there is a Santa Clause. His name is Uncle Sam and he's only for Congress. Yes, your congress critter, while trying to take your medical benefits away, does receive FREE health care.

[elleng]

44. Facts:

'Q: What type of health insurance do members of Congress receive? Is it a single-payer, government-run system?

A: Members of Congress are covered by private insurance under the same system that covers all federal workers.


FULL ANSWER
Members of Congress have good health insurance by any standard, but it’s not free and not reserved only for them – and it’s not government insurance. House and Senate members are allowed to purchase private health insurance offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which covers more than 8 million other federal employees, retirees and their families.

It’s not a "single-payer" system where the government acts as the one and only health insurance company. As President Bush’s chief of personnel Kay Coles James said in 2003, while lecturing at the conservative Heritage Foundation, "the FEHB program is not centralized, government-run health care." It has drawn praise both from conservatives and liberals, including President Obama, who held it up as a model for his own health care proposals.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the FEHBP offers about 300 different private health care plans, including five government-wide, fee-for-service plans and many regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, plus high-deductible, tax-advantaged plans. . .

In addition, members of Congress also qualify for some medical benefits that ordinary federal workers do not. They (but not their families) are eligible to receive limited medical services from the Office of the Attending Physician of the U.S. Capitol, after payment of an annual fee ($491in 2007). But services don’t include surgery, dental care or eyeglasses, and any prescriptions must be filled at the member’s expense.

House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.'

[garybeck]

46. Now that you've pasted the exact same thing several times on this thread, perhaps you should read it

Taken directly from your paste:

"House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center)."

That means, any time they are sick they can go to one of those hospitals and get taken care of and there is no charge. What part of "free" do you not understand?

[elleng]

48. 'but not their familes'

I have read the thing, and am familiar with Federal Employees Health Care program, as I am a Federal retiree. Also familiar with Walter Reed and Bethesda National etc etc.

Too many posts are misleading; readers must have facts presented to them, and I hope they will read and recognize differences.

[garybeck]

49. did anyone say "free health care for their families?" read the cartoon

it just says "free health care."

seems pretty straightforward, and correct, considering they can walk into a hospital in the town in which they live and work and get treated for free. not sure why you had to paste the same thing in 3+ times when the point you're trying to make isn't actually correct. But oh well... .have a nice day.

[BillyJack]

13. SHAME!!!!

SHAME Boehner.....SHAME !!!!

If you don't feel the shame, you should go to con'soul'ing or something.

[butterfly77]

14. Eggzactly...

Cantor,Ryan,McCOnnell,Boner and the rest of the crew,dirty,lying,pieces of shit!!!

[a kennedy]

17. and when watching C-SPAN the HOUSE is gone...and so is the Senate

on Mondays and Fridays. So "boonner" only works 3 days a week. and tell me again, what IS his salary???? Oh here's something....Speaker of the House .. $223,500, and then there's all the perks.
:puke: :puke: :puke:

[orbitalman]

18. K & R x 1000 n/t

[defendandprotect]

19. kr

[alp227]

20. links - the original toon and other Tornoe toons

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Cartoons/2011/August/Real-Entitlement.aspx

?w=512&h=378&as=1

(which congress member would that be instead of Boehner? one of the republicans i guess but the face looks pretty generic)

http://www.politicalcartoons.com/artist/Rob+Tornoe.html

[elleng]

21. OK but NOT factual,

NOT free healthcare and not enormous pension, SAME AS ALL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, employees pay healthcare premiums, and pensions determined by number of years employed.

[fasttense]

32. It is very factual.

Using the exact same link provided by people claiming congress does NOT get FREE health care. I discovered that Congress does get free health care. whttp://www.factcheck.org/2009/08/health-care-for-members-of-congress/

This at the bottom of the free health care for congress deniers' own link:

House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.

After having been in a military hospital for 3 months, I can tell you the inpatient fee is mere dollars a day.

[elleng]

38. TO BE CLEAR, FactCheck says:

'Q: What type of health insurance do members of Congress receive? Is it a single-payer, government-run system?

A: Members of Congress are covered by private insurance under the same system that covers all federal workers.

Members of Congress have good health insurance by any standard, but it’s not free and not reserved only for them – and it’s not government insurance. House and Senate members are allowed to purchase private health insurance offered through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which covers more than 8 million other federal employees, retirees and their families. . .

Congressional Research Service adds: the FEHBP offers about 300 different private health care plans, including five government-wide, fee-for-service plans and many regional health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, plus high-deductible, tax-advantaged plans. All plans cover hospital, surgical and physician services, and mental health services, prescription drugs and "catastrophic" coverage against very large medical expenses. There are no waiting periods for coverage when new employees are hired, and there are no exclusions for preexisting conditions. The FEHBP negotiates contracts annually with all insurance companies who wish to participate. There is plenty of competition for the business; FEHBP is the largest employer-sponsored health plan in the U.S.

Those who don’t like their coverage may switch to another plan during a yearly "open season" period. . .'

IN ADDITION, FactCheck says:

'In addition, members of Congress also qualify for some medical benefits that ordinary federal workers do not. They (but not their families) are eligible to receive limited medical services from the Office of the Attending Physician of the U.S. Capitol, after payment of an annual fee ($491in 2007). But services don’t include surgery, dental care or eyeglasses, and any prescriptions must be filled at the member’s expense.

House and Senate members (but not their families) also are eligible to receive care at military hospitals. For outpatient care, there is no charge at the Washington, D.C., area hospitals (Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center). Inpatient care is billed at rates set by the Department of Defense.'

[Art_from_Ark]

25. Ain't that the truth?

Happy to make Recommendation #129

[judesedit]

26. Perfect...talk about freeloaders...Boner's the worst by far

Effing hypocrites counting on the American peoples' stupidity and gullibility to buy into their propaganda. I sure hope everyone is finally waking up. OWS is a move in the right direction to expose these crooks to the brainwashed. Literally, more than half of the U.S. Congress are millionaires, thanks to the lobbiests and corporations. And since they don't pay their fair share of taxes, they have to take the money from somewhere to maintain their obscene,greed-filled lifestyles.

[lunatica]

29. It's as plain as the blubbering dribble on his chin

[midnight]

33. I cut this cartoon out a couple of weeks ago and tapped it to my kitchen cabitnet...

This cartoon is no laughing matter because of the absolute truth it reveals behind the double standards of some elected officials vs. main street...

[DesertFlower]

35. just posted it on my facebook page. K&R

[tawadi]

37. Great toon. But..and correct me if I'm wrong..

Can all of the people collecting SS say they've paid into it all of their lives?

[elleng]

41. Most, except for those born BEFORE SS!

[classof56]

42. All their working lives, at least, if they were receiving paychecks.

I didn't pay SS on my babysitting income back in the early 50s. When I hit the "workforce" at about age 18 (worked my way through college), I paid into SS from then on, save a few years I didn't work until my two kids went to school. Of necessity, continued working even after I went on SS a few years ago, with SS deducted but not credited to my account. So--pretty much paid into it "all my life", which isn't over yet, but if those who want to take it from me have their way, the quality of my remaining years could be greatly diminished. Hope the cost of cat food doesn't go much higher!

Peace.

[bertman]

45. 67 paid holidays??!!! Enormous pension!!!! Please vote for me in the next election. REC. nt

[LiberalLovinLug]

47. Cartoon is drawn by Rob Tornoe

Just a pet peeve. As an artist myself I think they should be credited with their full name.

Here is another drawn as Simpsons:

[garybeck]

50. thanks. point well taken. credit should always be given! n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

52. I love that cartoon!

Especially "Michele Bachmann" and her cats!

[RebelOne]

51. Yup, I am one of those freeloaders living on $14,000 a year

minus $110 a month for Medicare.