[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 19763]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HEALTH INSURANCE FOR LIFE ACT (H.R. 5740)

  (Mrs. KELLY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge the passage of legislation 
that I am cosponsoring with the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce).
  The Health Insurance for Life Act provides extended health care 
coverage to individuals and families who need COBRA when they are in 
between jobs or waiting for their health insurance to begin at a new 
job.
  Suburban families like those living in the Hudson Valley in New York 
encounter a job change an average of seven times. Workers need 
assurances that their health insurance remains as transferable and 
uncomplicated as possible when job changes occur.
  COBRA provides the safety net that parents and children need to 
maintain affordable health insurance, but under current law there are 
time limitations on how long families can use COBRA. H.R. 5740 removes 
COBRA's time limits and ensures that families in need of extended COBRA 
coverage cannot be charged unreasonable premiums.
  This Congress must continue developing new ways to protect the 
underinsured and uninsured in New York and throughout our country. 
Passage of our bill ensures that time is on the side of families and 
children who rely on COBRA for their health insurance.

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