A Message from NY President Rebecca Damon

This letter contains important information and updates about healthcare for members living in NY State.

Thank you to all of our members who have taken action on recent legislative initiatives. I reach out to you again regarding important changes we are seeking to the NY State COBRA subsidy for workers in the entertainment industry. We need to make the subsidy relevant for today’s world. Along with the New York State AFL-CIO and our fellow industry unions, we are seeking an amendment to the subsidy to help workers maintain their coverage. Click here to send an email directly to your New York State Senator or Member of the Assembly and tell your elected leaders to:

• Restore funding to the program, which has diminished since its inception, to its original funding level of $3.75 million;
• Ensure that any period of program utilization during the pandemic does not count towards the lifetime cap;
• Raise the income restrictions on the program; and
• Extend the program, which would otherwise expire in July.

New York's health insurance Open Enrollment Period will be further extended to May 15, 2021, aligning with states across the country. With this extension, New York joins the federal Marketplace and other state-based Marketplaces giving consumers even more time to enroll for 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health, New York's health insurance Marketplace, or directly through insurers. 
 
Finally, The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment invites SAG-AFTRA members to attend their Health Care Town Call for professionals in entertainment and the arts on Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 1 - 2 p.m. NYC Care and The Actors Fund will speak on health coverage options for media & entertainment industry professionals across the industry. Join this session to learn what your options are if you are seeking coverage. Click here to register. 

As always, I encourage you to keep up-to-date with the information posted on our website, especially, the guidelines established in The Safe Way Forward and our NY Local COVID-19 Resources page. 
 
Onward together,

Rebecca Damon
New York Local President