Re: The COBRA Stimulus Plan — Halfway to Hope

Dear President Obama, Vice President Biden, Rep. Baron Hill, Senators Bayh and Lugar, distinguished members of Congress:

Millions of Americans who lost their jobs prior to September 1, 2008, could not afford Cobra. Millions more elected Cobra but have now depleted their resources and cannot continue on. Still millions more with pre-existing conditions who rely on cobra to bridge the 18 month gap between their former employers insurance and their state's high risk insurance pools are struggling to pay their premiums every month to prevent being locked out of insurance permanently.

Please join us in asking Congress and the Obama administration to eliminate the arbitrary September 1, 2008 cut-off date and 9 month limitation of assistance by signing our petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cobrareform

and telling your friends about our efforts.

For more information please see our website at http://cobrareform.weebly.com

Source:  Reform Cobra Now

COBRA Premium Reduction Cutoff Date/Death

Open Letter to the President and Members of Congress:

Just when I was thinking there would be some relief and I would be able to continue my COBRA coverage, I was thrown this curve ball!

QUESTION: What if I was laid off before September 1, 2008, can I receive the premium reduction?

NO. To be eligible for the premium reduction you must have lost your job on a date between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009.

Well, if that isn’t a big kick in the face when I’m already down! I was left with no alternative but to regretfully resign a position with our local school system due to health concerns e.g. lower back/degenerating disc. I offered several options to exempt me from having to lift a student out of a wheel chair onto a bed. Physically incapable without damaging myself and/or the student! I resigned on 18 August 2008. That’s two (2) weeks prior to this sort of magical cut off date. Mr. Obama, sir, the recession officially started 4^th quarter of 2007!

Push back this arbitrary ‘deadline’ for COBRA Premium Reduction.

David Wierhake

Bloomington, Indiana