You know I am adamant that you can never afford to go without health insurance. Now, this new assist from the federal government should go a long way to help you stay insured if you have been laid off.

The government coverage is available to anyone who was laid off between September 1, 2008, through the end of 2009 and whose employer does in fact provide COBRA health coverage for former employees. If you were laid off since September 1, but you turned down your employers COBRA offer, you now have 60 days to contact your old company and ask to enroll in the insurance program. You will be charged for 35 percent of the cost, and your employer will recoup the other 65 percent directly from the government.

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