Robin Carnahan: “The amendment provides assistance to airline industry employees who are laid off from their jobs as a result of…”

“The amendment provides assistance to airline industry employees who are laid off from their jobs as a result of terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11. It brings assistance to those who had been employed by airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, and suppliers to airlines. For those workers, this legislation would provide three basic benefits. First, it extends unemployment compensation for an additional 20 weeks after employees have exhausted their State benefits. This provides a safety net to help them make their mortgage payments, to feed their families for a few extra months while they are trying to get new jobs. Second, this legislation provides training assistance to workers who will not be able to return to their former jobs, training that is so essential today in a changing economy. Third, this legislation helps workers maintain health insurance for themselves and for their families. As my colleagues know, many workers who were laid off are eligible to purchase health insurance from their former employer. The average cost of these premiums is $500 per month. People who have been abruptly laid off will not have an extra $500 a month to spend on health insurance. Without help, they will be without health coverage. This legislation reimburses the cost of those health insurance premiums for 12 months. For those workers who are not eligible to purchase health benefits, this legislation enables States to provide Medicaid benefits.”