Ocean City (Md.) Council members are considering asking the state to eliminate unemployment benefits to seasonal workers, a change that could affect a number of businesses across the state, according to advocates.

With an extension of benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) removed from a comprehensive jobs bill in the U.S. House, future health coverage for the unemployed remains unresolved going into the Memorial Day weekend.

With health insurance aid to thousands of Americans hanging in the balance, House Democrats are struggling to obtain votes to extend benefits through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Facing a June 1 deadline for hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers to start footing the full cost for their health insurance, Congress has pitched a new plan to extend subsidies through the end of the year.

Legislation to offer extended health benefits to New Jersey residents left jobless following the closure of a business is now headed to the full state Senate for consideration.

After a long week of debate, President Barack Obama signed an $18 billion bill temporarily extending unemployment and health benefits to millions of Americans, including those receiving coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Membership in the nation’s top health insurance plans fell by 1.3% in the third quarter of 2009, as the recession and high unemployment rates battered enrollments, according to a new report.