While we have to deal with employers reducing health care coverage, and shifting more of the costs to the employee, our legislators, and other government employees, have the best health care in the world. To top that off, Indiana legislators, under a cloak of darkness and trickery, passed legislation granting themselves, their children, and their spouse(s) virtually free health care for life paid for by the citizens of Indiana. All this while 16% of the population in Indiana is without health insurance.

According to Rep. Bright, no other state has a similar deal. But I wonder, it did take over 4 years to uncover this deception.

Indiana - State Rep. Billy Bright is publicly questioning a 2001 law that gives many legislators nearly free health insurance for the rest of their lives.

Any legislator who is in office for three two-year terms plus one day pays only 6 percent of the cost of the lifetime health insurance coverage, which also covers his or her spouse, children and ex-spouses. Taxpayers pay 94 percent of the cost.

"This was drafted under the cloak of darkness and trickery" Bright, R-North Vernon, said Sunday. Both sides (Republicans and Democrats) joined forces and promised to not make it a campaign issue.

The cost will increase over time, he said. "Can you imagine what our children and grandchildren will pay 20 years down the road" Bright asked. "Millions, billions, who knows."

Bright said Indiana legislators are the only group in the world who do not need to apply for Medicare.

"No other state has this plan," Bright said.

Bright is critical of this topic because in his freshmen year of the General Assembly last year, he witnessed an economic overhaul that slashed state jobs and benefits for Hoosiers.

"Why do we ask our state employees to give up more?"Bright said.

This should be a wake up call for all Americans. When it really comes down it, our legislators are sure to take care of themselves first. Now maybe our state legislators will consider legislation ensuring everyone has access to affordable health care coverage.

More information on this topic at The Indiana Law Blog and the Evansville Courier & Press.