COBRA Extensions
Maximum Amount:
$9.18 billion
Amount Spent:
$9.18 billion
Deficit Impact:
$9.18 billion Several bills since November 2009 have extended the duration in which unemployed workers can receive federal assistance for keeping their health insurance from their previous employer, a provision originally extended as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Lawmakers have extended COBRA benefits three times since ARRA was passed: December 2009, March 2010, and April 2010.
Source:
Maximum amount, amount spent, and deficit impact all represent the net cost of these extensions. Since none of these extensions were offset, all three numbers are the same.
Notes: