Marco Rubio on Obamacare: GOP Candidate, Family Receives ACA Benefits, Still Calls for Law's Repeal
Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio has long criticized the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but reports indicate his family has health insurance by the same law.
Rubio's healthcare platform calls for the repeal of the ACA, often referred to as Obamacare. According to his campaign website, "America needs health care reform that will cut back government's role and harness the forces of competition to keep health care prices low and spur innovation. That means not just repealing ObamaCare, but replacing it with a market-driven alternative and reforming Medicare and Medicaid for the 21st Century."
Rubio's proposal is to replace the ACA with a "consumer-centered" health reform, which includes giving Americans refundable tax credits to purchase medical insurance, Medicaid grants, provide future Medicare recipients the option of private or fee-for-service Medicare, and maintain the ACA's provision to protect individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
But despite his opposition to Obamacare, Rubio and his family are insured under the law through Washington, D.C.'s health insurance marketplace exchange. Rubio's campaign confirmed to NBC News that the Florida senator signed up for health coverage in 2013.
Rubio isn't the only presidential candidate who received health insurance through the ACA law. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also signed up. In fact, all members of Congress were mandated to sign up for Obamacare when the bill was approved.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced a provision mandating members of Congress and their staffers to purchase health insurance through the insurance exchanges. Members of Congress, however, receive a hefty subsidy, reportedly valued at $10,000. Fellow Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has also enrolled though Obamacare, but he has refused to accept its subsidy.
"I don't think Members of Congress should get a special deal," said Graham in December 2013. "Obamacare is being pushed on the American people and we should live under it just like everyone else."
Graham still opposes Obamacare. Similar to Rubio, Graham also favors to repeal and replace the ACA.
According to a Rubio spokesperson, via NBC News, the Florida senator still accepts the subsidy.
Based on Real Clear Politics' average of five national polls conducted between Nov. 23 and Dec. 8, Rubio currently ranks third among the Republican presidential field. With 13.6 percent, Rubio ties Ben Carson, narrowly behind Ted Cruz's 15.6 percent. Leading the polling averages is Donald Trump with 30.4 percent. Meanwhile, Paul averaged 2.2 percent, while Graham is at 0 percent.
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