TAKE ACTION NOW! Ask Your Elected Representatives to Support the Expansion of the COBRA Healthcare Subsidy

It is time that Congress pass the next federal relief package to protect the American worker from the economic consequences of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Performers are uniquely suffering from prolonged unemployment and loss of income and some will need federal assistance to keep their healthcare coverage.

Ask Your Elected Representatives to Expand the Federal COBRA Healthcare Subsidy

SAG-AFTRA members rely on the partial COBRA healthcare subsidy to maintain coverage under the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan if they do not meet minimum earnings during their designated base earnings period. Congressman Robert Scott (VA-03), Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) are championing the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act, which expands this vital federal assistance to cover the full cost of COBRA premiums for workers. This legislation is modeled after a similar program enacted in 2009 during the Great Recession.

Unfortunately, COBRA coverage can be prohibitively expensive for lower income workers as they must pay both the employer and employee share of a premium. The Worker Health Coverage Protection Act covers the full cost of COBRA premiums for workers who have been laid off, furloughed, or have been subject to reduced hours. This legislation will also support coverage for workers already hurt by a decrease in demand for goods and services, including entertainment workers.

Contact your members of Congress and tell them to support the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act. Please find a suggested letter/phone script below. You can find out who your representatives are HERE and who your senators are HERE.

Also consider posting a social media post, tagging your members of Congress. Here is a suggested post:

The Worker Health Coverage Protection Act covers the full cost of COBRA healthcare premiums, allowing workers to keep their employer healthcare plans if they lose work due to #COVID19 Please support this legislation [Tag your elected members of Congress] #sagaftramember

Strength in unity,


Gabrielle Carteris
SAG-AFTRA President
 
Sample Letter/Phone Script
My name is [insert name] and I live in your district/state.

I am writing to ask that Congress act and support H.R. 6514 (Scott VA-3), the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act, which will prevent American workers from losing employer healthcare coverage during this COVID-19 public health crisis. This legislation will protect performers and other American workers who are suffering from prolonged periods of unemployment. This legislation will expand the existing COBRA subsidy to cover the full cost of premiums as COBRA can be prohibitively expensive for out-of-work families.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Name]