Rep. Waxman Gives Members the Scoop on Health Care Law

From left, Dan Kitowski, The Actors Fund’s director of health services-Western Region; L. Scott Caldwell, co-chair of the SAG-AFTRA Healthcare and Safetynet Committee; U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif; Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, executive director, SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local; Keith McNutt, The Actors Fund’s director of Western Region

When it comes to being a member of SAG-AFTRA, one of the key contract provisions is access to health care. Unfortunately, there are periods when members may not meet the earnings threshold for health care through the union plans. The SAG-AFTRA National Healthcare Safteynet Committee seeks way to bring members information and education, as well as health care access. On Aug. 22, the committee hosted The Actors Fund and Rep. Henry Waxman to discuss the new California health care exchange, Covered California.

Nearly 150 entertainment professionals attended Every Artist Insured: Finding Affordable Health Insurance through Covered California. L. Scott Caldwell, co-chair of the SAG-AFTRA Healthcare and Safetynet Committee, welcomed the audience and introduced Waxman, who authored and championed the Affordable Healthcare Act. Waxman provided relevant details about the legislation and explained that subsidies would be granted based on participants’ income. Under this program, qualifying participants can attain health care coverage regardless of their health status and financial situation.

Dan Kitowski, The Actors Fund’s director of health services-Western Region, presented a comprehensive overview that included descriptions of the various plans and types of coverage, income-related information and the necessary steps to take before the program is implemented in January 2014. Kitowski stated, “Two very important things happen in January: The pre-existing clause goes away so that everyone has access to purchase health insurance. And, depending on your income, the federal government may help you pay your monthly premium. This is huge! It may be the first time in our lifetime that buying private health insurance is affordable.”

This item was originally featured in the September 2013 local newsletter.