U.S. Rep. Ron Barber Introduces Bill to Take Away Health Insurance Subsidies for Members of Congress

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber today joined Congressman Dan Maffei of New York to introduce the Members Play by the Same Rules Act that would eliminate the taxpayer subsidy given to members of Congress for health insurance.

"I have consistently said that members of Congress must play by the same rules as other Americans -- and this bill would make that the law," Barber said today. "I have voluntarily been donating my health insurance subsidy to Southern Arizona charities, but taxpayers should not be paying that subsidy in the first place."

The legislation would affect no one other than members of the House and Senate. The Members Play by the Same Rules Act would prohibit members of Congress who served on or after the day the Affordable Care Act was signed into law from receiving a taxpayer-funded subsidy to pay for their health insurance.

Every month during 2014, Barber and his wife Nancy are donating to Southern Arizona charities the full amount of the Affordable Care Act government subsidy Barber receives for his health insurance.

The Barbers split their monthly donation among three organizations serving the congressman's district: one group serving Tucson, one serving unincorporated areas of Pima County and one serving Cochise County.

In January, the Barbers donated to organizations serving women and girls. Their February donations went to non-profits serving southern Arizona's health care needs, the March donations assisted groups promoting literacy and their April donations went to organizations assisting veterans and seniors.

The Barbers' May donations went to Southern Arizona food banks. June donations were for groups serving Arizona seniors and their July donations went to organizations assisting veterans.

Under a provision in the Affordable Care Act, beginning Jan. 1, 2014, members of Congress must obtain their health insurance through the federal health exchange. Barber and his wife make monthly donations of $984.14 to Southern Arizona charities -- the amount of the government subsidy to Barber's health insurance.

Barber last year voted against the health insurance subsidy for members of Congress, saying that the taxpayers should not subsidize his health insurance.

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