Continued from yesterday, we are going over the economic stimulus plan. We’ve already covered parts of the bill concerning tax cuts, infrastructure and education. Let’s tackle the rest:

Aid to low income workers, unemployed and retirees (including job training)
Payments to Social Security recipients and people on Supplemental Security Income were parts of the final bill
Total: $82.5 billion

• A federal law known as Cobra enables workers who lose their jobs to pay to keep their health insurance for up to 18 months, but costs can exceed $1,000 per month. The Recovery Act subsidizes 65 percent of the insurance premium for up to nine months and applies to workers who lost their jobs between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. The subsidy only applies to workers earning less than $125,000 ($250,000 for joint returns).
• Increases unemployment insurance benefits by $25 per week (the average benefit is currently $300 per week) for 20 million jobless workers.
• Continues the extended unemployment benefits program, which provides up to 33 weeks of extended benefits, for 3.5 million jobless workers through the end of 2009.
• States will receive up to $7 billion to cover more than 500,000 workers who are not currently covered.
• Provides funding to help workers find jobs, including: $3.95 billion for job training; $500 million for Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants to help disabled persons find employment; $500 million to match unemployed individuals to job openings through state employment agencies; and $120 million to subsidize community service jobs for older Americans.

Health Care
Total Cost: 150 billion

• $87 billion for Medicaid
• $24.7 billion to subsidize private health insurance for people who lose or have lost their jobs
• $19.2 billion for health information technology
• $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• $650 million to support prevention and wellness activities targeting obesity, smoking, and other risk factors for chronic diseases
• $500 million for health professions training programs, including $300 million to revitalize the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The NHSC provides loan repayment, salary support, and scholarships for physicians and other providers who practice in underserved areas.

Here is a link to a table containing all the details.

Energy
Total Cost: $16.8 billion

• $3.2 B for energy efficiency & conservation Block Grants
• $5 B for the Weatherization Assistance Program, $3.1 B for state energy programs
• $2 B for grants to advanced battery manufacturers in the US
• $2.5 B for applied research, development and deployment, along with another billion split among alternative fuel vehicle pilot projects, transportation electrification, and energy efficient appliance rebates and Energy Star. And this is only a fraction of the money for energy.
• $4.5 B for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
• $3.4 B for Fossil Energy R&D (including clean coal and carbon capture and sequestration)
• $6 B for loan guarantees for renewable and transmission technologies
• $1.6 B for energy-related “science”–not further described

Scientific Research and Technology
Total: $14.9 billion

• $3 billion to the National Science Foundation
• $2 billion to the United States Department of Energy
• $1.3 billion for university research facilities
• $1 billion to NASA
• $600 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• $580 million to the National Institute of Standards and Technology
• $230 million for NOAA operations, research and facilities
• $140 million to the United States Geological Survey
• $6 billion for broadband and wireless services in underserved areas

Other
Total: $17.2 billion
The other parts of the stimulus bill is where it receives the most criticism for “pork” spending. You be the judge.

• $8.8 billion: State Block Grants: in aid to states to defray budget cuts.
• $4 billion for state and local law enforcement agencies
• $1.1 billion for improving airport security
• $1 billion in preparation for the 2010 census
• $720 million for improving security at the border and ports of entry
• $650 million for DTV conversion coupons and DTV transition education
• $210 million to build and upgrade fire stations
• $150 million for the security of transit systems
• $150 million for the security of ports
• $24 million to improve security systems at the Department of Agriculture headquarters
• $150 million for an increase of claims processing military staff
• $150 million for VA general operating expenses
• $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts to support artists
• $50 million for the National Cemetery Administration

Feel less confused? We didn’t think so. But at least you tried.

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