The House has passed its version of the $819 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill.
Aspects of the bill, passed Wednesday night, that support healthcare include $20 billion to advance healthcare IT, $4.1 billion to increase preventative care and evaluate the most effective treatments, $87 billion to temporarily increase federal Medicaid matching rates and $39 billion to help the newly unemployed maintain healthcare coverage through COBRA.
The Senate has yet to pass its version of the bill. Lawmakers hope for passage of a final law by February 16.
The Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation estimate the package would help 8.2 million people keep healthcare coverage for themselves and their families.
Under current law, eligible workers may continue to receive health coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) through a previous employer's health plan for up to 18 months, but are responsible for 102 percent of the cost of that coverage. Three provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) would provide help to these workers by providing funding and extension of qualifications for COBRA.
"It is completely predictable that, in this recession, millions of low-income American workers and their families will lose their jobs and join the ranks of the uninsured. We can't just sit by and let this happen," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
"This bill allows states, through their Medicaid programs, to provide immediate help to these families until they can find employment. The additional federal funds will help hospitals, physicians, community clinics and pharmacies make their payrolls and keep the staff they need to continue to serve the newly unemployed," he said.
"As the unemployment rate continues to grow, so will the number of uninsured," said Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. "COBRA coverage is a lifeline to millions of Americans and it is crucial that out of work Americans have access to affordable health insurance."
At a Tuesday House Budget Committee hearing, Douglas Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, said the bill would provide "a substantial boost to economic activity over the next several years relative to what would occur without any legislation."
The Children's Leadership Council said the legislation contains key investments in programs for children and families that will serve as some of the most effective forms of economic recovery.