New Law Lets Workers at Small Firms Qualify for Federal COBRA Help
On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed legislation (AB 23) that would allow laid-off workers at firms with fewer than 20 employees qualify for a federal subsidy for COBRA health insurance coverage, the Sacramento Bee reports (Sanders, Sacramento Bee, 5/13).
A provision in the federal economic stimulus package already provides subsidies of 65% of the cost of COBRA coverage for up to nine months for laid-off workers from larger firms (California Healthline, 5/12).
The law, by Assembly members Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) and Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego), will take effect immediately (Sacramento Bee, 5/13). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.