COBRA Subsidy Expires

In February of 2009, President Obama created a 787 Billion Dollar stimulus program intended to help Americans during our present recession. As part of the stimulus bill a 65 percent subsidy was started for Americans who were involuntary terminated from their jobs. The subsidy was extended in April, but expired May 31^st.

Americans that lose their job after June 1^st will have to pay the entire premium for COBRA coverage. According to Families USA, a consumer advocacy group, the monthly premium alone can eat up to 84 percent of a person’s unemployment check.

The extension of the COBRA subsidy was rejected by House Democrats to reduce the costs of a new jobs and tax bill that proposed extending the subsidy through December 31^st. The extension would cost 7.8 Billion Dollars according to a report by CNN.

Dan Levenson

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