I lost my job and can’t afford COBRA health insurance. My unemployment insurance barely covers my rent and I don’t have money to buy COBRA health insurance. Is there any other option other than COBRA or does this mean I will have to be without health insurance? I live in NY State.

Thanks

Tom

COBRA is usually the cheapest way to get health insurance after losing employer-provided insurance.

Can you be insured under someone else's coverage? (i.e., your spouse, or, if you are under 26, a parent)

This is why we need heath care reform. Try to stay healthy until 2014, when what little President Obama was able to get through congress kicks in.

If all else fails, you want to at least carry the minimum in "credible coverage" so you never have a gap in your insurance. This is important in getting insurance again later. You can usually cover this with an inexpensive catastrophic coverage policy.

Also, check with a health insurance agent in your state (NY has very different laws from other states) to see what your options might be.

This is why I love recessions.
Every time we have one, the great American middle class gets an education.

you do the same thing that 40 million other people do.

Hope you don't get sick.