The American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Act), Pub. L. 111-5, includes a provision under which the federal government will pay a portion of COBRA premiums for certain individuals whose employer group health plan coverage would otherwise end due to an involuntary job loss between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. Given the economic conditions, state employees may suffer layoffs. Those who are in layoff status and cannot afford regular COBRA premiums will lose their health insurance. Health care is a matter of great public concern.