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WASHINGTON – This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider legislation to eliminate the so-called “Congressional healthcare exemption” included in the American Health Care Act.

Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), who exited the Congressional health plan in 2014 and has never received an Obamacare subsidy, was one of the first to co-sponsor H.R. 2192, To Amend the Public Health Service Act to eliminate the non-application of certain State waiver provisions to Members of Congress and congressional staff, which was written by Congresswoman Martha McSally (AZ-02).

“We were elected to serve, not be served,” said Congressman Pittenger. “Even though this exemption is just a technicality based on Senate rules, I felt it important to act quickly to make sure the exemption is struck before the law even takes effect. Members of Congress should be subject to the same laws as the American people.”

The American Health Care Act allows states to apply for waivers of certain provisions if they have another program to adequately meet those needs. Due to Senate rules, Congressional health plans are excluded from those waivers.

Congressman Pittenger’s legislation would strike the Congressional exemption from the law. The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 2192 prior to voting on the American Health Care Act.