June 18, 2009
Quinn signs bill making health insurance more affordable for laid off people
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CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that will make health insurance more affordable for laid-off workers of small businesses and their families.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), those who formerly worked at companies of 20 employees or more are eligible for a subsidy that reduces by 65 percent the cost of COBRA health care coverage. The bill signed Thursday provides a 65 percent health insurance payment subsidy to those who worked for companies with fewer than 20 employees.
“I am pleased to sign legislation to help those, who through no fault of their own, have lost their jobs and can no longer afford health insurance for themselves and their families,” Quinn said. “I thank the General Assembly for its bipartisan support of this legislation and I look forward to their continued cooperation as we work to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
House Bill 2325, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, and Rep. Karen May, D-Highwood, was passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support.
The bill gives employees of small businesses who lost their jobs after Sept. 1, 2008, and who declined COBRA because of its high costs, a second chance to enter the program. Under this plan, those former workers can continue their health insurance coverage and receive a 65 percent premium reduction. The law also provides up to an additional three months of coverage for many former employees.
“With the enactment of this new law, small business employees will also receive the full benefit of the federal subsidy, enabling them to afford much-needed coverage instead of having to decline health insurance in favor of other necessities,” said Michael T. McRaith, Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance.
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Journal Star
Posted Jun 18, 2009 @ 10:26 AM
