Bovbjerg Randall R, Dorn Stan, Macri Juliana, Meyer Jack A
Health Policy Center, Urban Institute, USA.
Issue Brief (Commonw Fund). 2009 Dec;75:1-8.
Initial reports about the new COBRA premium subsidy program for recently laid-off workers indicate that enrollment in COBRA continuation coverage has increased substantially, with a healthier mix of individuals enrolling than before. Moreover, implementation has gone smoothly, and most eligible people have heard about the subsidy. Still, many of those who are eligible cannot afford to purchase COBRA coverage, even with the 65 percent premium subsidy. Very high subsidies and very easy enrollment are likely needed to enroll all, or nearly all, newly unemployed people who lack another source of affordable coverage. If the subsidies are extended beyond February 2010, Congress should provide new assistance in ways that are consistent with the existing administrative infrastructure and rules for both COBRA and the ARRA subsidies
关于针对近期下岗工人的新的《综合预算协调法案》（COBRA）保费补贴计划的初步报告显示，COBRA延续保险的参保人数大幅增加，参保人员的构成比以前更健康。此外，实施过程进展顺利，大多数符合条件的人都听说了这项补贴。然而，许多符合条件的人即使有65%的保费补贴，仍无力购买COBRA保险。可能需要非常高的补贴和非常简便的参保程序，才能让所有或几乎所有缺乏其他可负担保险来源的新失业人员参保。如果补贴期限延长至2010年2月以后，国会应以符合COBRA和《美国复苏与再投资法案》（ARRA）补贴现有行政基础设施及规则的方式提供新的援助。
