top of page
Search
Writer's pictureAlex Kawa

House Democrats Who Support Subsidizing COBRA Take Health Insurance Money

Updated: Aug 9, 2020



On Monday evening, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) hosted a live stream on Instagram, slamming Democrats who oppose Medicare For All, given how many people have lost their jobs (and as a result, their health insurance) during the coronavirus pandemic, and instead support subsidizing COBRA, which allows some employees to keep their health insurance plans after they leave their jobs. During the stream, Ocasio-Cortez explains the problems with COBRA, and how its cost rivals other basic needs and expenses for several Americans, such as rent.

Ocasio-Cortez asked viewers if they approve of COBRA, and many of them apparently voiced their opposition to the program. However, in spite of this, there is an abundance of evidence as to why this is the fight Democrats are choosing over Medicare For All.


"House Democrats’ bill would expand COBRA to cover 100 percent of the cost of a person’s health insurance premiums. Importantly, it would also cover 100 percent of premiums for furloughed workers — temporarily laid-off workers whose employers have promised they will return to work when economic conditions improve, and who still get health insurance through their employer."

Furthermore, when looking at congressmembers' personal finances, as of 2018, Democrats in Congress collectively own between $271 and $816 thousand in health insurance industry assets. This includes Dingell, who owns between $65 and $150 thousand in assets, and the average amount she owns ($107.5 thousand) is the sixth-highest out of all members of Congress who own assets in the industry.


11 views0 comments

Comments


Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page