Does the president pay for healthcare?

10 comments

1. Given that he’s a government employee, it’s handled by the government.

   In his case it’s the White House Medical Unit.

2. Presidents and former Presidents receive free health insurance. ([source](https://www.businessinsider.com/financial-perks-president-of-the-united-states-2018-7))

3. Not strictly on point, but the last two Presidents have been old enough during their time in office that they qualify for Medicare. Does this factor into anything? Do members of Congress who are old enough to qualify for Medicare (i.e. most of ’em) use the program? What about other, less notable government employees who are over 65? Surely a lot of people with more anonymous federal jobs are over 65.

4. Not only does the PUSA get benefits like health care, so does [Congress](https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/the-perks-of-being-a-member-of-congress-1513307200)

5. I will say that the President’s salary is capped at 400k and he does pay for food etc. The White House is managed by the Preservation Society.

   It’s actually sort of interesting. In many countries, the presidency is $$$. Book deals etc. after can be lucrative, but nobody’s mega rich off the presidency itself.

   Though full salary for life for Congress is B U L L.

6. The President of the United States is covered by Tricare Prime, the same free medical coverage that is provided to active duty members of the United States military.

7. Only if he chooses to.

   He has a dedicated medical staff.

   “While insurance would be required if the president went to a private hospital, he receives as much free treatment as he desires from military doctors in the White House Medical Unit.”
   “In fact, there’s always a doctor on call within the White House and a medical staff accompanying the president wherever he goes. The White House clinic contains exam rooms, hospital equipment and supplies, and a crash cart for emergency resuscitation.”
   “Dr. E. Connie Mariano, a White House physician from 1992 to 2001, described the facility to CNN as being “like a mini urgent-care center.””
   “The White House Medical Unit also serves the president’s family, as well as the vice president and his family.”

   https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-trump-presidential-healthcare-20170322-story.html

8. Better question. Does the president get tax returns?

9. While I have no idea I will give my two cents. The president is the appointed commander of the military. When in office they are seen and cared for in military facilities. I would assume they had full retirement benefits after leaving office which would be covered under Tricare if a member retired. Again I have no clue. That is just my best guess.

10. Technically, as commander in chief, the President is entitled to Tricare Prime. He receives care at military facilities, notably Walter Reed. would imagine this is how expenses are itemized. However, the President also is a sui generis case and has his own medical staff (still likely paid the same way as any other government doctor).

    The President has to pay for a lot of things that you might not assume he would. For example, he has to pay for food just like anyone else despite the White House cooks being on the government payroll.