The Economic Recovery Act put forward by President Obama and largely adopted in the House version understands that part of stimulating the economy is shoring up our safety net, particularly for those who will lose their jobs and, with it, health care for themselves and their family.  As such, it commits:

*  COBRA subsidies for those who have recently lost their jobs (only 1 in 10 who are eligible for COBRA currently purchase it -- the rest can't afford it)
*  Increased federal funding for Medicaid to defray proposed cuts on the state level and to allow those who lost their jobs to obtain temporary eligibility for health care under Medicaid
*  $20 billion in investments to jump-start Health IT, creating jobs and improving our health care infrastructure
*  Further investment in community health centers (a bipartisan cause), and a down payment to begin training more primary care providers.

Now the fight for the Economic Recovery Act is in the Senate, where those opposed have an alternate plan:  $0 in health care spending, $0 to shore up our health care infrastructure, $0 to help those caught up in the economic downturn -- and billions more in tax cuts.

Write to your Senator.  Given skyrocketing costs and how devestating the impact of losing your job and your coverage in one fell swoop, we need the Economic Recovery Act to pass!