News from Congressman Dale E. Kildee
For immediate release
February 25, 2010
Contact: Erin Donar
202-225-3611
  
 
Kildee Votes to Extend Unemployment and COBRA Benefits for Michigan Workers
 
 
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) voted to extend unemployment and COBRA benefits for workers in Michigan and across America. The Temporary Extension Act extends unemployment insurance through April 5 and COBRA through March 28. It also extends several other important programs including small business loan guarantees, highway safety programs and flood insurance programs and includes the “doc fix” which delays a scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare physician payments to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to physicians. This legislation passed the House of Representatives this evening.

“The current economic downturn has hit our manufacturing communities hard, causing too many hardworking Americans to lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Michigan has been particularly affected, and now leads the nation with close to 15 percent unemployment. Families in my hometown of Flint have been hit even harder and are suffering from a near 30 percent unemployment rate. These families need our support as we continue working to revitalize our economy and create new jobs in our communities,” said Congressman Kildee. “This unemployment insurance and COBRA extension will be extremely helpful for workers who are struggling under this difficult economic climate and I am proud to have joined my colleagues to pass this bill.”

Background on H.R. 4691, the Temporary Extension Act

  • 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 the COBRA health insurance subsidy for people who have lost their jobs through March 28.
  • 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.
 
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