The United States Senate passed a two-month extension of eligibility for unemployment insurance and tax credits to help cover the cost of health insurance premiums for Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own on April 15, 2010. The bill also restores these critical benefits retroactively to cover unemployed workers who lost their eligibility when the programs expired at the end of March.

The Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (H.R.4851) also ensures Medicare beneficiaries and military service members and their families can continue to see their doctors and prevents Americans living in poverty from losing access to vital safety-net services. Additionally, the bill extends and restores other important programs, including small business loan assistance, satellite television licensing and national flood insurance.

A summary of the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 as passed, as set forth in press release from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), provides the following:
 

Summary of the Continuing Extension Act of 2010

• Extension of Unemployment Insurance Programs – Extends Federal Unemployment Programs retroactively, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program, through June 2, 2010.
   
• Extension of COBRA Assistance - Extends eligibility for 65% subsidy for COBRA premiums through May 31, 2010 and provides transition relief for individuals who lost their jobs between March 31, 2010 and the date of enactment.
   
• Extension of Medicare Physician Update - Extends current Medicare payment rates for physicians (preventing a 21% payment reduction) through May 31, 2010.
   
• Clarification of Health IT Incentives – Ensures certain doctors in outpatient facilities are eligible for health IT payments under Medicare and Medicaid.
   
• Extension of Poverty Guidelines - Extends current provision maintaining 2009 poverty guidelines through May 31, 2010 (to prevent a lowering of the poverty line).
   
• Extension of National Flood Insurance Program – Extends provision through May 31, 2010.
   
• Satellite Television Extension - Extends the copyright license used by satellite television providers through May 31, 2010.
   
• Compensation for Furloughed Employees – Provides compensation for federal employees furloughed during March 1st and 2nd as the result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Highway Trust Fund.
   
• Extension of Small Business Administration Programs – continues funding for loan programs that provide small businesses with the capital they need to succeed and grow. The bill extends funding to reduce or eliminate fees under the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan guarantee program and the 504 loan program through May 31, 2010.