February 25,2010

Baucus Urges Action to Prevent Out-Of-Work Americans from Losing Unemployment Benefits, Health Care Coverage

Finance Chairman calls for extension of unemployment insurance, COBRA benefits set to expire this week

Washington, DC – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today urged his
colleagues to support a short-term extension of unemployment insurance benefits and eligibility for unemployment health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), to ensure Americans don’t lose their benefits while Congress works to find more permanent solutions. Without an extension, these programs are set to expire February 28.

“As folks in Montana and across the nation struggle to find jobs and make ends meet, these  benefits are the only thing keeping many hard-working families afloat,” Baucus said. “We must act  immediately to ensure these benefits do not lapse as we work to create jobs and find a more permanent solution. I urge my colleagues to support a temporary extension of unemployment and COBRA insurance so hard-working American families and communities don’t lose the benefits they depend on for survival.”

Baucus has been a leader in Senate efforts to ensure these benefits do not lapse. He is committed to continued work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure these programs are extended before they expire at the end of this week.

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