from a friend who tracks legal developments:
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Act”) into law on February 17, 2009, making major changes to COBRA. Under The Act, employees who are involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 may pay reduced COBRA premiums for nine months. The federal government will subsidize 65% of the premium and the former employee is responsible for the remaining 35%. The Department of Labor has four model notices to employees which are now available at the Department of Labor' website. Employers must notify former employees who are eligible under the Act.
