[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COBRA HEALTH BENEFITS EXTENSION ACT OF 2010

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2010

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of 
those relying on COBRA benefits for health coverage.
  Millions of Americans have lost their jobs since the recession began 
in 2007. Unfortunately, when you lose your job, you generally lose your 
health insurance. For those with a preexisting condition or ongoing 
health problem, this common scenario can leave them with no health 
insurance and often no way to get coverage.
  Section 113 of the House version of the health care reform bill gave 
unemployed Americans the option of staying on their COBRA insurance 
beyond the typical 18-month eligibility period. The provision was 
designed as a stopgap measure to prevent more people from becoming 
uninsured.
  The Senate bill did not include similar provisions extending COBRA. 
With California's high unemployment rates, my office has received calls 
from San Diegans on the verge of losing their COBRA benefits with 
nowhere to turn for health insurance.
  We know that COBRA coverage is not perfect. Premiums are generally 
higher because employers are no longer paying a portion of the cost. 
However, especially for those with significant health care costs, COBRA 
coverage is extremely valuable.
  In fact, the average medical expenses for a patient with diabetes 
cost $13,000 per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, CDC. The average cost of treating breast cancer rose to 
nearly $21,000 and prostate cancer to over $41,000 in 2008, according 
to the National Cancer Institute.
  Can you imagine facing these types of health care costs without any 
type of insurance? Because of the high unemployment rates, I fear many 
Americans are close to losing their COBRA eligibility.
  I'm proud to introduce the COBRA Health Benefits Extension Act of 
2010 with Chairman George Miller, Congressman Robert Andrews, and 
Congressman Joe Courtney to help Americans keep their health insurance. 
Those on COBRA can stay with their coverage beyond standard eligibility 
periods until they find a new job providing insurance or until health 
insurance exchanges are available in 2014. They can also drop their 
COBRA coverage and enter a government-sponsored high-risk pool if they 
so choose. This legislation provides a bridge to those at risk of 
losing their health coverage so they do not have to go without 
insurance.
  Madam Speaker, thank you very much for your efforts to make health 
coverage accessible and affordable.

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