Michele Bachmann: "I lost my health insurance under Obamacare"

The Minnesota congresswoman claims she liked her health insurance -- but couldn't keep it

Published November 15, 2013 4:30PM (EST)

Michele Bachmann                                 (Reuters/Larry Downing)
Michele Bachmann (Reuters/Larry Downing)

According to a report in Politico, we can count Michele Bachmann among the many who have recently had their health insurance canceled.

During a CNN debate with Democratic adviser Paul Begala, Bachmann claimed that she and her husband recently had their health insurance plan canceled and will now have to get a new plan through D.C.'s Obamacare exchange.

When asked by host Wolf Blitzer whether she'd signed up yet through the exchange system, Bachmann responded, "Are you kidding? I’m not going to waste an hour on that thing."

"I lost my health insurance under Obamacare," Bachmann said. "And so now I’m forced to go into the D.C. health exchange. I’m waiting until they fix this thing. I’m not going to sit there and frustrate myself for hours and hours."

More from Politico:

Blitzer pressed Bachmann on when she would sign up, given the Dec. 15 deadline for anyone who wants coverage to kick in on Jan. 1.

“At some point we’re going to have to figure it out. I have a husband with very significant health issues. We have to have health insurance. So we will get it figured it out,” Bachmann said.

Appearing with her on the “Situation Room,” Democratic strategist Paul Begala seized on her comments about her husband’s health issues, saying she should be thankful for President Barack Obama’s health care law.

“Actually, we were just fine before,” Bachmann said.

Bachmann did not explain what about Obamacare caused her to lose her health insurance. The health law technically requires congressional staff go on the D.C. exchange, but it’s up to the individual congressional office to determine who qualifies as “official office” staff, so many Republicans have placed their aides on the exchange while Democrats have been split.


By Elias Isquith

Elias Isquith is a former Salon staff writer.

MORE FROM Elias Isquith


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Affordable Care Act Barack Obama Cnn Michele Bachmann Obamacare Paul Begala Politico Wolf Blitzer