A pair of U.S. senators is urging colleagues to support an extension of health insurance benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) through the end of November.

Similar to an effort in the U.S. House last month, a Colorado senator is seeking the signatures of his colleagues to urge inclusion of a public health insurance option in comprehensive federal health reform.

As part of a $636 billion defense spending bill, Congress has forwarded a proposed extension of Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) benefits.

One of the biggest obstacles going into the Senate’s debate on a comprehensive health care reform measure was the existence of a government-run public insurance option.

Nine months ago, unemployed workers received a boost to continue their health care coverage through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which extended COBRA benefits. The move, meant as a temporary way to provide a 65% premium subsidy and ease the cost of health care for the unemployed, has already expired for some.

Omitting a government-run health insurance program from a Senate reform bill will give private insurers “free rein” to increase premiums and “drive up the cost of federal subsidies,” according to a group of Senate Democrats.

Citing the need to introduce competition in the health insurance market and contain health care costs, a group of 28 U.S. senators introduced a resolution to include a federally-backed health …  Read →