Both the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and many state laws give employees the right to continue coverage and/or convert to individual policies after leaving the group. COBRA is intended to ensure that employees and their dependents can maintain their group healthcare coverage following certain events that otherwise would result in a termination of coverage. COBRA's protections are temporary and are intended as a stopgap until insurance is obtained from another source, such as a new employer. Employers do not have to pay for any portion of the premiums for COBRA coverage, but the beneficiaries get to maintain their insurance at less expensive group rates. A temporary 65 percent premium subsidy for up to 9 months is available for workers who are involuntarily terminated on or after September 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009, and for their families.