Mass. Unemployed To Get Help For Health Insurance

Massachusetts will combine federal stimulus funds with an existing state program to make health insurance for the unemployed more affordable.

The Boston Globe reports under a new plan set to be announced by health officials today, costs for the COBRA health insurance program will drop to as low as $70 a month for some families.

COBRA allows people to keep their employer-provided health insurance when they lose their jobs but many unemployed workers find it too expensive.

Under the federal stimulus, any workers laid off between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 can get money to help pay for COBRA.

Under the plan to be announced today, Massachusetts families making less than $84,000 and who are unemployed can get state funds under the Medical Security Program to help pay for COBRA.