Extended Cobra Continuation Protection Act

Floor Speech

Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House to quickly pass the Extended COBRA Continuation Protection Act to ensure health coverage for millions of Americans who, through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs and now, because Wall Street gambled with their savings, cannot afford the COBRA premiums to keep their health care from their former employer.

So, in the economic stimulus bill we provided 65 percent of the cost of those premiums, but those benefits are now running out for those who were laid off first. I ask this House to quickly pass the bill to extend those COBRA premium subsidies for 6 months.

Take a woman in my district. She pays $535 for her 35 percent share of the premiums. It will go over $1,500 very soon if we do not act. And she has a preexisting condition and must keep on her health care plan.

Hundreds have contacted my office regarding this, and I ask this House to quickly help. As we come out of this savage recession, it's not just economic security, but it's health security we must address.

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