Affordable health care--harder than it looks

In 1986, Congress kindly created a program that allows workers who are laid-off or leave their jobs to remain on their employers' health insurance plans for up to 18 months, until they can find another job--and a new health plan.

The problem? Hardly anyone can afford it. Congress didn't say anything about the cost of such plans. A new report from the nonprofit consumer group Families USA demonstrates that COBRA isn't even close to affordable for most families.

The report found that COBRA costs, on average $1,069 per month for family coverage. Unemployment benefits average $1,278 per month. COBRA would eat up 84 percent of the unemployment benefits.

See my post for Psychology Today.