An economic stimulus package of just over $787 billion passed in both the House of Representatives and Senate on Friday, Feb. 13.
A significant portion of the stimulus plan is dedicated to health care-related spending. The states will receive $87 billion in additional Medicaid funding, while another $24.7 billion will subsidize 65 percent of COBRA premiums for laid-off workers for up to nine months. Healthcare IT investment will be supported by $19 billion in federal funds, with an additional $1.1 billion slated for comparative effectiveness research.
President Obama is expected to sign the legislation on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Read the Kaiser Family Foundation’s summary of health care-related provisions.
