• Registered: Mon, 01 Mar 2010
  • Posts: 23

Topic: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

Hello all in the U.S. - a new bill was introduced in Congress by Representatives Davis (Dem-San Diego, CA), Courtney (Dem-CT) and Andrews (Dem-NJ) that would allow people currently on COBRA to extend their benefits past the 18 month time period.  The bill is called The COBRA Health Benefits Extension Act (H.R. 5324).  Write or email or call your Congressional Representative and two U.S. Senators and show your support of this bill.  It would not cost taxpayers anything as costs are borne by patients on COBRA only.  Here is a link to identify your Congressional Reps and Senators if you're unsure who they are:

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

I have posted an extensive article on my blog/website as well as include suggested verbiage for an email to your Rep/Senator so won't go into detail here but refer anyone interested to my blog at: http://cholangiocarcinoma.wordpress.com/

This is sorely needed during these hard economic times; COBRA can be a lifesaver for anyone out of work who is going through cancer treatment.

Hope Congress can act soon on this important piece of legislation!

  • From: Kalmar, Sweden
  • Registered: Sun, 20 May 2007
  • Posts: 1,951

Re: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

MArk,
Lets hope this passes. I am just WAITING until you cant deny people with pre existing health conditions. Once that comes into effect, I may get to spend some time in the States while I am still healthy enough to enjoy it and make some more memories and have more laughter with my family (especially my older, but no more mature sister).

Kris

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.

36 year old patient with buckets of hope
  • Registered: Mon, 01 Mar 2010
  • Posts: 23

Re: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

Kris - I am with you brother!  We campaigned hard to get pre-existing conditions elimination as part of the health care reform bill, and it went into effect for children this year but for adults it does not go into effect until 2014...in the meantime, the states or Fed Govt are setting up high-risk patient insurnace pools but it is not happening as fast as it could. 

I happen to live in a Southern State where the local politicians are fighting this...yes, they're about as backwards as you can get!!!!

Take care,

Mark

  • Lisa
  • Legend
  • Offline
  • From: Stanwood, WA
  • Registered: Sat, 08 Sep 2007
  • Posts: 813

Re: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

I hope the COBRA extension passes.  That is literally a lifesaver for those of us who exhaust our benefit time period but are not yet ready for medicare.  It's like "what to do for those six months between the end of COBRA and the beginning of disability insurance through medicare."

Lisa's Website

  • From: Kalmar, Sweden
  • Registered: Sun, 20 May 2007
  • Posts: 1,951

Re: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

Mark,
I am from SC so I know about backwards politicians. Anyone want to hike the Appalachan Trail? and THEN be so silly as to think you wouldnt get caught going to a foreign country? Half the time I laugh, half the time I shake me head, and half (yes I know that equals more than 100%) the time I cry at SC politicians. We are in general a somewhat backwards state (not that it is all bad, I really like how family centered we are and how we still treasure manners). My friend is a librarian and she said that one church in town has its members come in and check out books on reproduction and witches and other "inappropriate" topics and then they "loose" them and pay the fee. So she is always having to reorder certain books. That cracks me up. Sorry...way off topic!


Kris

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.

36 year old patient with buckets of hope

6 Reply by Lisa (edited by Lisa Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:31:16)

  • Lisa
  • Legend
  • Offline
  • From: Stanwood, WA
  • Registered: Sat, 08 Sep 2007
  • Posts: 813

Re: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

It's a disgrace that we have to try and figure out what the he*l to do about our insurance when COBRA runs out and we are on disability but ineligible for Medicaid until our full 24 months of disability. 

I'm applying for a new plan and expect to be turned down, then I will apply for the state-sponsored plan for high risk cases.  Unfortunately, that comes with a deductible that will have to be met AGAIN so I'll be paying about 5K just in deductibles.  CANCER SUCKS!

EDIT:  I didn't understand it before, but the 24 month countdown starts when you begin receiving SS benefits.  So for me it will be September 2011.

I'm screwed.

Does anyone know a nice single man who would marry me so I can get insurance coverage?  I'm kind of kidding.

Lisa's Website

  • From: Iowa
  • Registered: Mon, 15 Feb 2010
  • Posts: 373

Re: COBRA Extension Bill introduced in Congress

I've read on this board recently that COBRA insurance is not required to give you the same coverage you had.  I believe the person said he was going to have to pay $800 a month for "non coverage" as it would only pay for some blood tests, no chemo or treatment for cc.

This really surprised me as I thought COBRA was always the same coverage you had.  I asked a business person I knew who had COBRA for one month when needed and she told me the same - it is not always the same coverage and was not for her.

If insurance companies can choose to give you different coverage, COBRA is not necessarily the great thing I thought it was.