Workers laid-off from small businesses get health insurance break - Phoenix Business Journal:

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave a brea k to former employees of companiee with 20 or more employees by providinfg a subsidy that cuts the cost ofCOBRA health-carre coverage by 65 percent. Illinois is extending the same breaok to workers laid off fromsmaller companies. The bill signef by Quinn provides a 65 percent health insurance paymengt subsidy to those who worked for companies with fewer than 20 The bill gives employees of smallk businesses who lost their jobsafter Sept. 1, and who declined COBRA because of its high a second chance to enterthe program.
Undee 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 additionapl three months of coverage for manyformefr employees. Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, and Rep. Kareh May, D-Highwood, sponsored the legislation.