Stimulus filter: Help me understand how the funds get to where they're going. [more inside]
posted by shotgunbooty on Apr 20, 2009 - 4 answers

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act helps unemployed people with their COBRA payments in two ways: it subsidizes 65% of their payments, and because this lower price makes it affordable for many who couldn't before, it allows people who didn't elect for COBRA the first time a second chance to elect for coverage. I was laid off on October 24, and I did elect for coverage on January 28. But I haven't paid yet. The grace period for payment ends in a few days, on Saturday — it has to either be paid online or postmarked by then. If I were to not pay, would I be given the same second chance as those who didn't elect the first time around — the difference being that I would have elected, but not paid? It's a substantial financial difference for me. A little bit more inside. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Mar 11, 2009 - 3 answers

How did the WSJ put together this breakdown of the stimulus bill (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)? They cite the CBO as their source but the only CBO breakdown I can find is much less detailed. Where can I get a breakdown of the bill that lists each item in the bill individually and where all the items add up to $787.2 billion, the CBO estimate of the bill's total impact on the deficit? Thanks.
posted by otio on Mar 2, 2009 - 5 answers