A Message from NY President Rebecca Damon About the COBRA Subsidy Legislation

I am thrilled to announce that, in addition to our national 100 percent COBRA subsidy legislation, thanks in large part to our efforts and the advocacy of our SAG-AFTRA New York members, New York State funded their COBRA subsidy program for entertainment workers at $2 million (up from $110,000), and extended it through July 1, 2022.

Congratulations to everyone, and thank you to every member who answered the call to action last month by reaching out to New York State Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and your local state legislators to encourage their support of the program and the needed increase to its funding. Our industry was hard hit by the pandemic. This program is a bridge for our members to stay covered under our Health Plan until the industry fully recovers.

In vaccine news, here is a current state-by-state update for our area:

• New  Yorkers aged 16 and over are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. New Yorkers can make appointments through the Am I Eligible tool or by calling the NYS Vaccine Hotline at (833) NYS-4-VAX (833-697-4829).
• In New Jersey, all individuals aged 16 and over will be eligible on April 19. More information is available at covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.
• In Connecticut anyone 16 and over who lives, works, or studies in the state is eligible to receive a vaccine. Visit portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/ for more information.

I urge you to schedule your vaccine as quickly as possible.
 

Finally, please save the date for a New York Local Virtual Membership Meeting on Monday, May 3 from 5-7:30 p.m. An email with details will be sent out soon.
 

Onward together,

Rebecca Damon
New York Local President