Both the recent HEROES Act, as well as the proposed Health Care Protection Act, include funding for expanded COBRA coverage. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans who were dependent on their employer for health insurance coverage suddenly find themselves in a tough spot, and millions more face an uncertain future as businesses adjust to a new pandemic-centric risk model. For these consumers, paying for health care coverage is just one of many stressors right now.
As such, the Alliance to Fight for Health Care, a group of stakeholders working to protect employer-provided health coverage, is urging Congress to expand COBRA coverage for these affected workers. Under COBRA, an employee has the opportunity to remain on their employer plan after being laid off or seeing a reduction in hours. Both the recent HEROES Act, as well as the proposed Health Care Protection Act, include funding for COBRA coverage.
"We must work quickly and together to make sure individuals who lose their job and potentially their employer-sponsored health insurance due to the economic impact of COVID-19 have continued access to affordable health care coverage during this crisis—either through their employer or through federal subsidies to help pay for continued health care coverage premiums, including for church plan continuation coverage," said Rev. Jeff Thiemann, vice chair of the Church Alliance, which has also come out in support of expanded COBRA coverage.
According to a poll conducted on behalf of AFHC, 78% of Americans would support funding to expand COBRA coverage. Moreover, the support is unwavering across political beliefs, age and income, with 85% of Democrats and 75% of Republicans supporting such a measure. Among Millennials and Boomers, support is 80% and 78%, respectively.
"This poll confirms Americans want Congress to help people keep their health coverage," said James A. Klein, president of American Benefits Council. "Subsidizing COBRA continuation coverage is the most efficient and effective way to deliver vital protection to America's families during this period of unprecedented job loss."
In its press release, AFHC noted four benefits of a Congressional subsidy for COBRA, including:
- Financial stability and peace of mind during the current crisis
- Easing the demand that would be placed on public programs by the newly uninsured
- Easing the transition for unemployed workers seeking new jobs
- Preventing the worsening of serious health conditions due to delayed care
AFHC's mission is to promote policies that not only ease the financial burden of health care coverage for laid-off or furloughed workers but to enhance the availability of affordable coverage through individual insurance markets and to promote the well-being of frontline health care workers.
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
