Should COBRA insurance be outlawed?

[kentuck]

It's a rip-off that most unemployed people cannot afford. Why would it not be possible to keep your same insurance at the same price when you are laid off or unemployed? Would that be so difficult to pass the Congress? Why would they not want to pass that? Why would that be a hardship on the insurance companies? Just sayin'...

[sabbat hunter]

1. with COBRA

you are paying hte entire cost of the insurance, the part you paid when employed and the part your former employer paid as well.

That being said, insurance is way too expensive.

[HopeHoops]

2. FUCK NO! - Just AFORDABLE!

How the FUCK can you afford COBRA when the cost of it is almost your whole damn paycheck (which you don't have anymore)?

COBRA is a fucking JOKE!

[gtar100]

30. You're right, COBRA is a joke on the unemployed.

Anyone living paycheck to paycheck is going to find COBRA cost-prohibitive. It's only a feel-good policy for the insurance companies who risk absolutely nothing by offering it given that only a select few can take advantage of it.

It's a crime to see health care as a for-profit enterprise. What incentive is there for these companies to take care of people? Just enough for a good image and nothing more.

[HughMoran]

3. They did pass that (at least short-term) - it's called ARRA

I pay 35% of my premium, when I was employed I paid 30%, so it's virtually unchanged.

If this subsidy was permanent (it's just for 9 months now), that would be a good thing.

[donco6]

4. You ARE keeping the same insurance with COBRA.

??

[MercutioATC]

10. Bingo! Same insurance, same price.

...except (since you're no longer employed) you pay the employer's portion of the premium too...and a small administration fee.

[The River]

5. Hell No

It just saved my ass.
I was laid off last month and converted my
policy under COBRA guidelines. It IS the same policy, different payee.
My State (VA) is picking up 65% of the cost for unemployed workers.

2 weeks after the lay off I get a cancer diagnosis.
I had it removed 4 days ago and will begin radiation therapy soon.
It literally is saving my life.

Where did you get your facts?

[HughMoran]

7. Hope you recover soon

I was thinking the same thing - I'm on Cobra now, and if I get a serious illness now, at least I'll have insurance. Granted, all citizens should be guaranteed insurance in a rich country like ours, but I'm thankful for Cobra until the system is reformed.

[The River]

18. Thanks

It's been a real lifeline for a lot of people.
Hope you never need to use it.

[kentuck]

8. Good luck on your future health..

I don't think I can afford it if I am laid off in a couple of weeks. Is this a state law of Virginia or is this a national law?

[The River]

15. Not Sure

I know that the money is coming from the "Stimulus Package" funds
so it should apply in your state also.

"Stimulus Package Includes COBRA Health Insurance Subsidies"

http://www.businesslawalert.com/2009/02/articles/employment/stimulus-package-includes-cobra-health-insurance-subsidies/

It's good for a 9 month period in my case.

Thanks..it was isolated in 1 lymph node.

Good luck with your upcoming layoff / coverage

[CurtEastPoint]

17. I believe it's federally funded. I'm getting the 35% deal here in GA. n/t

[donco6]

20. It's federally funded through ARRA.

The employer picks up a share of your premium, instead of passing it all along to you. He, then, can claim a reimbursement from the feds.

[abluelady]

22. Federal Law

Right now it is good for 9 months; hopefully, it will be extended if unemployment rates don't change.

[Blue Diadem]

24. Federal. We're paying 35% too. .

Wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise.

[Mike 03]

6. Wow, I don't know. I relied on COBRA after getting layed off.

Is that a good thing that it is outlawed?

Not sure.

[stray cat]

9. My disabled mom could never have gotten coverage without Cobra

it wasn't cheap but her other alternative was no coverage at all - meaning a potential death sentence or at least broke and disabled. It allowed her to leave an abusive marriage - so I sure am not against Cobra.

[kentuck]

12. But that is my point...

Some people cannot afford COBRA. Should that be their only option? Isn't that reason enough to reform the health-care system?

[NorthCarolina]

11. Because of it's exceedingly high premiums, COBRA is already as good as "outlawed" nt

[eggplant]

13. I love COBRA

And I *really* love ARRA. Our premiums (at 35%) are about what our portion was before I lost my job.

What is outrageous is the idea of "continuing coverage". After my heart attack three years ago (at age 37), I'd be f*cked if I lost insurance for any amount of time, allowing some future carrier to exclude cardiac events due to a "preexisting condition".

ARRA is really saving our asses right now, especially here in NY where unemployment caps at an appallingly low $405/week. Ugh.

[ejpoeta]

14. this is where single payer would work best. because if you separate insurance from work,

then if you change jobs or get laid off it will not affect your health coverage. you will still have insurance. ANd employers won't have to worry about providing it. "COBRA" is where you have to pay for all of your insurance since your employer isn't paying part of it anymore. It at least gives you the option of continuing your health insurance, even if it is something no one can afford.

[bbinacan]

16. Isn't Cobra

retroactive? If you find you need it, you catch up on monthly payments from the time of the layoff.

[Gormy Cuss]

19. If we had single payer COBRA would go away on its own.

COBRA is better than what existed before in that we as workers have the right to keep the same group coverage for eighteen months, but worse in that pre-COBRA employer-provided plans often had 30 days of coverage after termination without paying the employer's contribution.

Pre-COBRA I had only an expensive catastrophic plan option after leaving employment and I considered my self lucky to get that. After COBRA went into effect I had a one year period where I paid the exorbitant premiums in order to hold onto the coverage because it was still cheaper than the nongroup plans that I found out there.

IMHO COBRA was a good idea poorly executed. Rather than tying it to existing employer coverage it should be a guarantee of median group plan benefits and co-pays for unemployed workers, but that would be a lot like a national health plan.

[sakabatou]

21. Hell no!

I'm getting my insurance for my meds through COBRA.

[kentuck]

23. How much do you have to pay now?

And would you approve of a system where you paid much less?

[sakabatou]

26. I dunno

I'm a dependent.

[davsand]

25. I'd like to see COBRA become unnecessary.

Universal would render it a moot point, but until we actually DO have single payer coverage from cradle to grave, we gotta have something for people facing the loss of insurance due to job loss.

Personally, in the interim, I'd like to see unemployment cover not only insurance but also drugs and dental. It might sound too ambitious, but imagine the suffering and fear that would be eliminated.

Good luck with your personal situation, kentuck. I hope everything goes well for you.

:hug:


Laura

[kentuck]

28. Thanks Laura...

Things have become day to day. There's a lot of uncertainty. I hope the ARRA (whatever that is) is still there when I don't have a job. I may be able to keep insurance and I may not. But I'm not the only person in this situation. I wish our politicians could finally get off their asses and get something done on health-care reform.

[riverdeep]

27. Health insurance? What's that? n/t

[SmileyRose]

29. Yes - the day after we have single payer universal access to medical care.

we don't need insurance - cobra or any other kind - we need access.