Exclusive investigation

Ousted politicians get subsidy for health insurance coverage

Submitted Dr. Gregory McDonald

Jim Noelker Former Dayton mayor Rhine McLin

ENLARGE PHOTO

How many former elected officials receive subsidized COBRA insurance?

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer Updated 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 18, 2010

After losing their re-election bids last November, former Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin and former Clearcreek Twp. Trustee Greg McDonald signed up for discounted health care coverage provided through a federal program designed to provide relief to unemployed workers.

Elected officials ousted from office between Sept. 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010, qualify for subsidized COBRA coverage through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to the IRS and insurance officials.

The IRS has no data tracking how many former elected officials in Ohio and other states have taken advantage of this subsidy, a spokeswoman said.

“If you can find one example, you can find 100,” said Catherine Turcer of Ohio Citizen Action, a statewide consumer advocacy group. While the nonprofit supports subsidized COBRA coverage for unemployed workers, Turcer said its use by former elected officials who have other jobs is questionable. “We need to be really watching the bottom line and thinking about all the ways the U.S. government or the state of Ohio spend more than they need to,” Turcer said.

For McDonald and McLin, the program has dropped their premiums to one-third or less of what they would normally pay for COBRA coverage.

McLin, who is working as a consultant for Gov. Ted Strickland’s re-election campaign, said she began receiving the subsidy in March and plans to continue it.

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