COBRA provides employees and their families who lose health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan under certain circumstances. A qualifying event under COBRA includes termination of employment or a reduction in the number of hours of employment. When a qualifying event occurs, the employee or beneficiary can elect to continue their group health insurance coverage for a limited period, typically up to 18 months. This provision helps ensure that individuals do not immediately lose their health insurance coverage due to job loss or other qualifying events.