House Dems Introduce 15-month COBRA Bill for Unemployed Workers

House Education and Labor Committee Chairman, Bobby Scott (D.Va.) on behalf of House Democrats introduced the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act. The bill would provide up to 15 months of fully paid health insurance for workers who have been or will become unemployed due to the COVID 19 crisis.  This is an issue LIUNA and organized Labor have repeatedly raised with the Illinois Congressional Delegation since the beginning of the pandemic and the resulting spike in unemployment.

The bill provides up to 15 months of premium assistance to cover 100 percent of the health premiums owed by unemployed and furloughed workers. It applies to workers impacted by the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis, beginning on March 1, 2020, and ending six months following the public health emergency.

Workers covered by COBRA due to either involuntary termination or a reduction in hours and active workers who are subject to a furlough will be eligible for assistance.

Assistance is available to workers in nearly all employment-based health plans, including private sector plans covered by ERISA, multiemployer plans, state and local government plans, and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.

You can read more about the bill here.  We will provide updates on this and other relevant issues as they become available.  

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