Dear Mr. Austin: 

Thank you for writing to me in support of extending the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase, the COBRA subsidy, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund that was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. 

Since the economic downturn began in 2008, Congress has enacted several measures dealing with unemployment and health benefits for millions of Americans, including FMAP, CORBA and TANF.  The ARRA (Public Law 111-5), signed into law on February 17, 2009, provided federal subsidies of 65 percent for COBRA premiums for people who involuntarily lost their jobs between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009.  Additionally, states received an increase in the federal matching rate for FMAP, the rate at which the federal government contributes to state spending for Medicaid care for the poor and disabled.  The ARRA also provided $5 billion for the TANF Emergency Fund, which provides financial help for children and their parents. 

On March 10, 2010, the Senate passed a bill that would have extended the COBRA subsidy through the end of 2010, extended the increase in FMAP through June 30, 2011, and extended the TANF provisions through September 30, 2011 with $2.5 billion in additional funding.  However, the House or Representatives modified the bill on May 28, removing both of these provisions.  The Senate debated that legislation for four weeks.  Despite our best efforts, we could not garner any Republican support and were unable to pass this needed legislation.  The Senate as a body will now need to consider different approaches that could potentially get the 60 votes needed to extend these important programs.  

Again, thank you for contacting me.  Please know that I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to provide relief for Americans during these difficult economic times. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841.  Best regards.

Sincerely yours,
 Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator