Dear Friends,
Representatives of entertainment unions and The Actors Fund mobilized earlier this year to revive the New York State Entertainment Industry COBRA Subsidy, which covers 50% of the COBRA premium for members who lose their union-sponsored health coverage for 12 months. The state legislature responded and appropriated money to continue this vitally important program. Unfortunately, the appropriated money is stuck somewhere in the bureaucracy. The program is administered by the Health Bureau of the Department of Financial Services, and for some reason, the money has not moved into the Bureau’s account, so many eligible New Yorkers have been unable to access this vital program. With all live performances shut down in New York because of the COVID-19 public health emergency, people need their health coverage—and this subsidy—more than ever before.
If you are a resident of New York, please consider contacting Governor Cuomo's Office, your district Assemblyperson and state Senators and ask them to look into this glitch and ensure that the money gets to New Yorkers who need it desperately. This is a problem with a quick and easy solution!
On a federal level, Families USA recently released a report that estimates the historic losses in health coverage that have taken place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession. Key takeaways include:
- Health coverage losses resulting from the COVID-19 crisis are 39% higher than any annual increase in the number of uninsured adults ever recorded.
- 46% of all health insurance losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crash have occurred in five states: California (689,000), Texas (659,000), Florida (607,000), New York (298,000) and North Carolina (238,000).
- Five states have experienced increases in the number of uninsured adults that exceed 40%, and eight states, many of which are attempting to re-open their economies, now have 20% or more of their non-elderly adult populations without any health insurance.
It’s critical that Congress receives the message that the next COVID-19 relief package must prioritize comprehensive health insurance in order to improve health outcomes, limit financial insecurity and promote economic recovery. In addition, we must help them understand that we expect that our industry will continue to be disproportionately impacted by this health crisis, as it is likely that even once many of the current stay-at-home orders are relaxed there will need to be safety restrictions and limitations imposed upon mass gatherings for an extended period of time.
We all look forward to the day when entertainment workers can start helping the country heal, but we must first mitigate this public health crisis and ensure we sustain our community until they can safely return to work. This is why we are urging Congress to include the following priorities in any subsequent legislation:
- Preserve access to affordable, quality healthcare by passing a 100 percent COBRA premium subsidy to keep workers on their job-based healthcare plan and extend eligibility to 36 months.
- Extend the pandemic unemployment insurance provisions for as long as the health crisis persists.
Time is of the essence, as Congress goes into recess August 7. Contact your federal elected officials.
Thank you for lifting up the importance of the health and economic security of our community during this crisis and beyond.
Yours in good health,
Renata Marinaro
Do you work in performing arts and entertainment and have questions about health insurance? The Actors Fund provides assistance nationally. Contact our regional office closest to you to speak to a counselor.
New York City
917.281.5975
Los Angeles
855.491.3357
Don’t forget to use the resources section of our website. It contains tools to help you make decisions about your health insurance, including new online tutorials on how to choose providers and how to read an Explanation of Benefits. In addition, you’ll find an updated Stage Managers National Health Directory, our national online directory of health care providers recommended by industry professionals that can be used by theaters and touring companies. For these resources and more, visit actorsfund.org/HealthServices. You can also find out more about enrollment assistance and upcoming health insurance seminars near you!