House Dem donates O-Care subsidy

Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) donated the amount of his healthcare subsidy to local charities.

“Members of Congress must play by the same rules as other Americans,” Barber said. “So I have pledged to donate the full amount of the Affordable Care Act government subsidy to southern Arizona charities each month during 2014.”

{mosads}Barber, who faces a tough reelection race, has introduced the Members Play by the Same Rules Act, which would end the taxpayer subsidy given to members of Congress for health insurance.

Under the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, members of Congress must buy health insurance through the federal exchange. Members receive nearly $1,000 a month to help subsidize the cost of health insurance, as most large employers do.

But some lawmakers argue that Congress is getting special treatment since members of the public who buy health insurance through the federal or state exchanges aren’t allowed to receive government subsidies to help cover the cost.