U.S. House Passes Emergency Extensions for Unemployment, Health Care and Highway Programs
February 25, 2010
Without Congressional action, a number of programs, including unemployment benefits, the COBRA health care subsidy, and small business loan guarantees, would expire this weekend. The bill that Congressman Cohen supported this afternoon extends the life of these programs for an additional 30 days through March 28 -- unemployment benefits are extended through April 5.
“Since Monday, my office has heard from hundreds of anxious constituents who have been deeply concerned that Congress would not act quickly to extend these expiring provisions,” Congressman Cohen said. “I am pleased to report that the House has acted quickly to bring some much needed peace of mind and financial relief to individuals, families, seniors, and small business owners as they try to survive the economic downturn. The bill that passed today will continue a number of vital programs to help those in the 9th District who are out of work, permit highway programs to boost employment this spring to move forward, stop cuts in doctors’ Medicare payments that will limit health care for our seniors, and provide credit for small businesses to expand and hire new workers.”
The U.S. Senate is expected to act on this legislation very soon.
The following programs are being extended:
Unemployment Insurance: Extends unemployment benefits, including the increased payouts and longer duration of benefits from the Recovery Act through April 5.
Help with Health Insurance for Unemployed Workers (COBRA): Extends through March 28 the COBRA health insurance subsidy for people who have lost their jobs.
Surface Transportation Authorization: Authorizes the highway, highway safety, transit and motor carrier safety programs of the Department of Transportation through March 28.
Medicare Physician Payments: Delays a scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare physician payments to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to physicians through March 28.
Small Business Loans: Extends two temporary improvements to the Small Business Administration’s loan guarantee program, raising the percentage of loan amounts that the SBA can guarantee and allowing SBA to waive or reduce loan fees through March 28.
Flood Insurance: Extends the National Flood Insurance Program authorization through March 28.
Satellite Television: Extends the compulsory copyright license used by satellite television providers through March 28.
________________________
Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov
“Since Monday, my office has heard from hundreds of anxious constituents who have been deeply concerned that Congress would not act quickly to extend these expiring provisions,” Congressman Cohen said. “I am pleased to report that the House has acted quickly to bring some much needed peace of mind and financial relief to individuals, families, seniors, and small business owners as they try to survive the economic downturn. The bill that passed today will continue a number of vital programs to help those in the 9th District who are out of work, permit highway programs to boost employment this spring to move forward, stop cuts in doctors’ Medicare payments that will limit health care for our seniors, and provide credit for small businesses to expand and hire new workers.”
The U.S. Senate is expected to act on this legislation very soon.
Additional Background
The following programs are being extended:
Unemployment Insurance: Extends unemployment benefits, including the increased payouts and longer duration of benefits from the Recovery Act through April 5.
Help with Health Insurance for Unemployed Workers (COBRA): Extends through March 28 the COBRA health insurance subsidy for people who have lost their jobs.
Surface Transportation Authorization: Authorizes the highway, highway safety, transit and motor carrier safety programs of the Department of Transportation through March 28.
Medicare Physician Payments: Delays a scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare physician payments to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to physicians through March 28.
Small Business Loans: Extends two temporary improvements to the Small Business Administration’s loan guarantee program, raising the percentage of loan amounts that the SBA can guarantee and allowing SBA to waive or reduce loan fees through March 28.
Flood Insurance: Extends the National Flood Insurance Program authorization through March 28.
Satellite Television: Extends the compulsory copyright license used by satellite television providers through March 28.
________________________
Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov