Vulnerable Dem donates ObamaCare subsidy to charity

Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.), one of the most endangered Democratic incumbents this election cycle, has donated his federal subsidy to pay for health insurance to local charities.

Under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, members of Congress and their staff receive federal subsidies to pay for their insurance that are essentially employer contributions.

{mosads}Many Republicans and a handful of centrist Democrats, however, have argued the subsidies are a “Washington exemption” for lawmakers that puts the cost of their health insurance on taxpayers’ tab. 

Barber, who is in a tough race against retired Air Force fighter pilot Martha McSally, pledged to donate his subsidies to charity for the rest of the year.

This month, Barber donated the funds — totaling $984.14 — to three charities assisting disabled people: Desert Survivors, Douglas ARC and DIRECT Center for Independence.

“Members of Congress must play by the same rules as other Americans,” Barber said. “So every month this year, I will donate the full amount of the Affordable Care Act government subsidy I receive to charitable organizations that help southern Arizonans.”

The Arizona Democrat has introduced legislation, the Members Play by the Same Rules Act, to eliminate the federal subsidy for members of Congress to pay for their health insurance. His bill doesn’t go as far as one offered by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) which would end the subsidies for lawmakers and their staff.