After 15 Years, Ohio Senator Still Refuses Federal Health Benefits

When Sherrod Brown was elected to Congress in 1992, he promised his constituents he would refuse federal health benefits until the federal government guaranteed health coverage for all Americans. He purchased his own individual policy believing that universal coverage was right around the corner.

Fifteen years later, Senator Brown is still waiting for universal coverage for all Americans. According to the Washington Post, the individual policy he purchased in 1992 had a $5000 annual deductible. The Senator was saddled with $12,000 - $13.000 in additional out-of-pocket expenses following a car accident in 2000 which resulted in his hospitalization. In 2004, he married and obtained coverage through his wife's employer. When she took a leave of absence, the couple paid the full, unsubsidized premium for that coverage. Throughout all of these changes, Senator Brown has kept his promise and refrained from switching to the generous federal employee coverage available to all members of Congress.

Senator Brown is optimistic that America may see comprehensive healthcare reform and perhaps even universal coverage in the near future.