Hodes on Making Health Insurance More Affordable for the Unemployed

Article continues below...

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes announced his support for legislation that would make health insurance more affordable for unemployed families in New Hampshire. Currently, unemployed individuals and families receive 9 months of COBRA premium assistance under the jobs and recovery plan that passed earlier this year, but this assistance is beginning to run out this month.

Congressman Hodes is a cosponsor of H.R. 3966, which would extend this assistance for another 6 months. The premium assistance helps New Hampshire families to afford health insurance while they continue to search for a job.

"This health insurance assistance is critical to Granite Staters who are struggling to find a job," said Congressman Hodes. "I will continue to fight to make health insurance more affordable for New Hampshire families who are trying to balance their health insurance costs, mortgage payments, and other expenses while they continue to search for a job. Relief for New Hampshire families cannot wait."

COBRA insurance allows unemployed workers to continue to pay for the health insurance plan that they used under their previous employer. During COBRA, families’ responsibility for health insurance payments goes from an average of 17% to 27% to over 100% of the cost of the health plan. Families face these skyrocketing costs immediately after they have lost their income.

The jobs and recovery plan that passed earlier this year included the premium assistance to help families pay the cost of their COBRA health insurance. This assistance covers 65% of the monthly payment unemployed individuals must make each month to afford their health insurance. Without action, this assistance will expire at the end of this year. Congressman Hodes is committed to fighting to extend the COBRA premium assistance program to provide relief for New Hampshire families.

Source: Congressman Paul Hodes