The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan trustees have agreed to extend health coverage for qualified participants who may have lost their coverage on October 1, 2023.
This decision is due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes and the work opportunities that could have been affected by the Writers Guild of America strike in May and June this year. The extension, which is equal to one calendar quarter, was unanimously agreed upon.
The extension applies to participants who meet specific criteria: those who would have lost earnings-based or days-based coverage on October 1, 2023, and have accumulated a minimum of $22,000 in reported earnings (or 85 alternative days) from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. These adjusted requirements are exclusively for maintaining existing active coverage and factor in the decreased earning possibilities caused by the strike.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher expressed relief on behalf of the members, stressing the importance of safeguarding the well-being of members and their families amid the ongoing contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Drescher called for the AMPTP to consider the profound impact of the strikes on the workers’ livelihoods and encouraged a more compassionate approach.
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Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator of SAG-AFTRA, and a trustee of the Health Plan, has expressed concern for SAG-AFTRA members who have been impacted by the strikes. He believes that the extension will help ease the anxiety felt by those affected by AMPTP’s handling of the situation. He is optimistic about a resolution and stresses the importance of AMPTP returning to the negotiation table.
The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan participants who do not meet the extension criteria will be offered COBRA coverage options. Support for COBRA premium payments and other resources aimed at facilitating affordable coverage may be accessible through state programs or charitable foundations within the entertainment industry.
Notably, the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan operates independently of the union, underlining its commitment to the well-being of its participants.
This extension of health coverage underscores the intricate dynamics of the ongoing strikes, the negotiations between industry stakeholders, and the direct impact on the workers. The move highlights the ripple effects of labor disputes in Hollywood, emphasizing the pressing need to address the well-being and stability of those affected by the industry’s collective decisions.
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