U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik answers questions from an audience of more than 80 people at a “Coffee with your Congresswoman” event Tuesday afternoon at the Lyons Falls Library. (Photo provided — Amanda Morrison, Watertown Daily Times)

PLATTSBURGH — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has co-sponsored legislation that would subject Congress members to the same requirements as the states if the American Health Care Act becomes law.

According to a news release from Stefanik’s office, due to a drafting requirement, the MacArthur Amendment to the AHCA would allow states to opt out of certain Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) regulations but exempt members of Congress and their staff.

“Congress should live by the same laws it passes onto the rest of the nation,” Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said in her news release.

“This is why I receive my health care through the Obamacare exchanges, though I decline the congressional subsidy.

“This common-sense legislation would ensure members of Congress do not receive special treatment if the AHCA becomes law.”

The legislation, introduced by Congresswoman Martha McSally, R-Arizona, is a simple, two-page bill that says that when the AHCA becomes law, the section exempting members of Congress and congressional staff from the waivers is repealed.

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Negotiating

Stefanik was seen as a key vote when the House was considering the AHCA last month.

She would not reveal whether she was going to vote for the bill, however, before it got pulled by House leadership because it was not going to pass.

Stefanik continued to negotiate items in the package before the vote and was able to help get $15 billion added for paternity leave, mental-health care and substance-abuse treatment.

She also was part of an effort from New York’s congressional members to add an item requiring the state to completely take over Medicaid costs from counties.

The latest efforts to resurrect the AHCA stalled Friday because Republicans were still not unified on a final version of a bill.

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(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country — the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh — are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)