For members of Congress , the Obamacare debate is getting personal . This week , lawmakers can begin their sign-up process for health care , and a CNN survey shows that while most senators and representatives plan to participate in the Obamacare exchanges , a sizable group is walking away from the government-coordinated exchanges and instead getting their healthcare in the private marketplace . The Chart : Who has signed up for Obamacare in Congress . Enrollment for the House and Senate opened Monday and ends in early December , forcing lawmakers to make two big decisions : Will they personally get coverage through an exchange -- either in Washington as part of their workplace or in their home state -- and if they sign on to the exchange as part of their job , will they take the thousands of dollars a year the federal government gives employees to help with premiums ? Of the 118 members of Congress who responded to CNN , the clear majority plan to get coverage on the exchange as members of Congress , taking the employer contribution that comes with it . But nearly 20 % of those responding indicated they would not go onto the exchanges . Some , like Rep. Allyson Schwartz , D-Pennsylvania , are on Medicare ; a few others rely on pension plans from previous jobs . Related : White House tech expert says HealthCare.gov getting better . But many are choosing to stay out of the exchanges , making a politically sensitive decision that removes them from the process Congress created . Most are Republicans who see it as a statement about Obamacare and fiscal responsibility . `` She came to Congress to fight Obamacare , not to enroll in it , '' wrote a spokesman for Rep. Diane Black , R-Tennessee , who is going directly to the private market for her health care . `` He feels the taxpayers should n't have to shoulder those personal costs for him , '' explained a spokesman for Rep. Frank LoBiondo , R-New Jersey , who is also heading into the private markets . But it is not just Republicans . `` ( He ) declined the employer health-coverage ( on the exchange ) as part of his commitment to fiscal responsibility and saving taxpayer money , '' reads a statement the office Rep. Scott Peters , D-California , sent CNN . Peters will get health coverage through his wife 's plan . Related : White House officials get earful from Democrats on Obamacare . The politics are tricky . If they stay in the exchange , they could be accused of backing Obamacare and taking federal money for their health care . But if they leave , they could be accused of not participating in the system Congress invented and , as part of the Affordable Care Act , decreed that lawmakers should personally experience . Several swing-state and closely watched senators have found a possible political middle ground by joining an exchange as individuals , not as members of Congress . Under the current system , Congress essentially acts as a small business employer on the Washington exchange . Thus , all members of Congress who want coverage and federal contribution dollars through their job have to enroll on that one exchange . But five senators are instead signing up as individuals through their home state , going through the exchange system but forgoing the federal dollars that would be attached if they signed up with their job in the D.C. exchange . `` I want to have the exact same experience and go through the same steps as other Alaskans when it comes to signing up for health care , '' wrote Sen. Mark Begich , D-Alaska . Colorado Senator Michael Bennet is planning on doing the same in his state , as are fellow Democrats Claire McCaskill of Missouri , Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Republican John Hoeven of North Dakota . No House members responded that they were moving to their state exchange . One rare category of lawmakers consists of those who are signing up as members of Congress , going through the D.C. exchange , but who are nonetheless rejecting or returning the federal dollars that come with it . Related : 'Obamacare girl ' said she felt bullied . The office of Rep. Patrick Murphy , D-Florida , told CNN , `` The congressman will return the federal contribution money to the U.S . Treasury . '' Same for Sen. Mike Enzi , R-Wyoming . Rep. Mark Amodei , R-Nevada , is still deciding exactly where he 'll get his health care , but if he goes with a plan as a member of Congress , his office told CNN , he will donate to charity the thousands of dollars in premium help from the government . Still unknown is whether Sen. David Vitter , R-Louisiana , who launched a fiery protest against the federal contributions to congressional health care plans , will take the money . His office told CNN that he does plan on entering the exchange as a member of Congress , but his staff did not respond to our repeated questions about whether he would take the contribution . Members have until December 9 to decide if they want to get employer-backed coverage as part of their jobs .
Members of Congress will select their health care coverage starting this week . The House is expected to vote on the legislation next week. But many will opt out in favor of private plans or other options .