U.S. Rep. Ron Barber Donates Decemember Health Insurance Subsidy to Organizations that Assist Women

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber and his wife Nancy have donated to three Southern Arizona charities money that the federal government spent to subsidize the congressman's health insurance premiums in December.

"It is important that members of Congress play by the same rules as other Americans," Barber said. "So every month this year, I have donated to charitable organizations that help Southern Arizonans the full amount of the Affordable Care Act government subsidy I have received."

Barber introduced the Members Play by the Same Rules Act that would eliminate the taxpayer subsidy given to members of Congress for health insurance.

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 from receiving a taxpayer-funded subsidy to pay for their health insurance.

But in the meantime, the Barbers have donated the subsidy to charity. This month, the Barbers donated the congressman's health insurance subsidy to three organizations that assist women.

Each month, the Barbers have split their donation among three organizations serving the people the congressman represents: one group serving Tucson, one serving unincorporated areas of Pima County and one serving Cochise County.

The December donation will be split equally among:

The Haven, a Tucson facility that offers prevention and treatment services for women who would otherwise be homeless and hopeless. The Haven values affordable, safe, state-of-the-art substance abuse therapy with the focus on women and the acceptance of their children into the residence facility.

The House of Hope in Douglas, a shelter for abused women and children. The House of Hope provides shelter, food, some clothing, transportation to appointments, support groups, advocacy support and referrals to other agencies in the community. It has a 24-bed facility that can house up to 10 families.

Hands of a Friend in Green Valley, a shelter for victims in need of escaping domestic violence. It also advocates for victims who require legal, financial, immigration, medical, educational, employment, transportation and permanent housing solutions. It operates Genesis House, a five-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot shelter.

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. Throughout this year, Barber and his wife have made monthly donations of $984.14 to Southern Arizona charities -- the amount of the government subsidy to Barber's health insurance.

This year the Barbers have made donations to area food banks as well as organizations that promote education and literacy, provide health care and assist women, girls, women-owned businesses, seniors, veterans and disabled people.

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

Source