» COBRA

House Passes Unemployment Extension Without Cobra Benefits; Senate Yet to Act

On May 28, 2010, the House passed a watered-down jobs bill. It extends the extra unemployment benefits program for another six months, though those benefits have now expired as of the end of May. Very significantly, the House bill did not include an… Read More
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President Signs Bill to Extend Unemployment Benefits

After Democrats were once again able to overcome Republican opposition that was holding up unemployment benefits for millions of workers in difficulty, Congress passed an extension of emergency unemployment benefits, and President Obama signed it int… Read More
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Helpful Information on COBRA and Health Care Reform

The New York Times has a very useful article on COBRA, and how it is affected by the recently-enacted health care reform act. It starts: “If you’ve recently joined the ranks of the unemployed or are worried that you soon will, you may be wond… Read More
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Republicans Block Unemployment Benefits Again

Senate Republicans have once again blocked a much-needed extension of unemployment benefits, ignoring the needs of millions of workers that rely on those benefits. This time, it is Oklahoma Republican Tom Coburn who has single-handedly denied workers… Read More
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Obama Signs Bill Temporarily Extending COBRA, Unemployment Benefits; Longer Extension Being Considered

On March 2, President Obama signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (summary here), a bill that will extend the 65 percent premium COBRA subsidy through March 31, 2010, and unemployment assistance benefits through April 5, 2010. The Senate passed… Read More
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Republican Senator Blocking Unemployment and COBRA Benefits

Inexplicably, Republican Senator Jim Bunning has held up a much-needed extension of unemployment and COBRA benefits. Bunning has single-handily blocked a vote on a 30-day extension by being the only senator to oppose a unanimous consent motion to vot… Read More
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President Signs Bill Extending COBRA and Unemployment Benefits

On December 21, 2009, President Obama signed a Defense Appropriations Bill, which also included two-month extensions for unemployment benefits and the 65% COBRA subsidy that was in the stimulus package. Specifically, the act extended the COBRA premiu… Read More
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Advice for Workers Losing COBRA Subsidy

One part of the President’s stimulus package early this year provided a 65% subsidy for COBRA health insurance benefits. The subsidy, however, only lasts nine months, so it expiring for many people soon. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to ex… Read More
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