TIME \@ “MMMM d, yyyy” November 16, 2009

 

Thank you for contacting me about extending the federal program that helps individuals and families to afford their COBRA premiums. I appreciate hearing from you.

Congress included the COBRA provisions in the stimulus bill to provide assistance to those who lose access to employer-provided coverage because of voluntary or involuntary job loss. I support the COBRA premium subsidies program, which pays 65 percent of the cost of COBRA premiums. Health insurance is expensive, especially when you don’t have a job.

 

All Americans should have access to affordable health care coverage. Yet more than 46 million Americans are without health insurance today, including 8.5 million children. Since 2000, health insurance premiums have gone up 73 percent. The cost of prescription drug coverage is skyrocketing, increasing at double digit rates in each of the past nine years. These costs keep dependable, quality health care coverage consistently out of reach for many of our nation’s citizens.

I am working for a health care reform bill that will ensure quality and affordable coverage for every American family. The plan we are developing would provide sliding-scale premium credits for those who need help affording the high cost of coverage. The proposed legislation will prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to those who need it most. Under our plan, pre-existing conditions and costly premiums will no longer serve as barriers to coverage.

 

The COBRA subsidy program plays a valuable role as an interim measure until we can implement broader health care reforms.

 

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.

 

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin

United States Senator

 

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