In the White House’s latest move to save face for the health-care law known as Obamacare, President Obama himself bought an insurance plan using the DC Health Link exchange.
The purchase is entirely symbolic, though. While Obama bought a plan on the “bronze” tier that covers 60 percent of medical costs, he won’t be using it. As president, Obama’s health care is provided by the military, and in a statement, the White House says Obama will continue to be cared for by his team of military doctors.
Obama’s plan only covers him and not the rest of his family. According to DC Health Link’s cost estimator, a 52-year-old man earning $400,000 a year would pay a premium of about $400 a month for a bronze plan and would not be eligible for a subsidy.
The president, who is vacationing in Hawaii, did not make the purchase himself. And rather than use DC Health Link’s website, a White House aide visited a DC insurance office in person. Presumably, that conversation about Obamacare required the staffer to change out of his or her pajamas.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Obama Signs Up for Obamacare, Though He Doesn’t Need It
President Obama will pay about $400 a month for insurance he doesn’t need just to make a point.
In the White House’s latest move to save face for the health-care law known as Obamacare, President Obama himself bought an insurance plan using the DC Health Link exchange.
The purchase is entirely symbolic, though. While Obama bought a plan on the “bronze” tier that covers 60 percent of medical costs, he won’t be using it. As president, Obama’s health care is provided by the military, and in a statement, the White House says Obama will continue to be cared for by his team of military doctors.
Obama’s plan only covers him and not the rest of his family. According to DC Health Link’s cost estimator, a 52-year-old man earning $400,000 a year would pay a premium of about $400 a month for a bronze plan and would not be eligible for a subsidy.
The president, who is vacationing in Hawaii, did not make the purchase himself. And rather than use DC Health Link’s website, a White House aide visited a DC insurance office in person. Presumably, that conversation about Obamacare required the staffer to change out of his or her pajamas.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
“Mean Mugging” at Ward 8 Candidate Forum Leads to Arrest
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
More from News & Politics
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
Families of DC Air Disaster Victims Criticize Army’s Response, Trump Settles His Scores Via Tariff, and Police Dog Kicked at Dulles Returns to Work
This DC-Area Lawyer Wants More Americans Betting on Elections
Trump Threatens DC Takeover, Says He’d Run the City “So Good”; Supreme Court OKs Mass Federal Worker Layoffs; and You Should Go Pick Some Sunflowers
Trump Pledges Support for RFK Stadium Plan, Ben’s Chili Bowl Will Strand Us Half-Smokeless for Months, and Pediatricians Are Suing RFK Jr.
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor