Email sent Thursday, April 9, 4:30 PM
Subject Line- Take Action: Tell Congress to Fund COBRA Subsidies
As you all know, due to the widespread cancellation of our work, it is a reality that many musicians will require government assistance to stay on 802 healthcare. In late March, New York entertainment unions united and won a renewal of the NYS COBRA subsidy healthcare program that pays 50% of monthly COBRA premiums for entertainment union members for 12 months. But given widespread unemployment and the uncertainty of when our workplaces will reopen, this is not enough and we all must push Congress to act now.
We are calling on Congress to include in the next stimulus package a 100% COBRA premium subsidy to ensure those out of work can still afford to remain on their healthcare during this public health crisis and we need your help. Click here to send a letter to your reps now.
Workers who lose job-based healthcare coverage have the option of continuing enrollment in their plan for up to 18 months, but most people don’t end up taking COBRA due to the prohibitive cost. The unprecedented scale of sudden unemployment during the COVID-19 outbreak calls for immediate action by the federal government to ensure millions of workers are not kicked off their health insurance plans during this pandemic. Subsidizing COBRA premiums 100% is a way to make this option affordable to those out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis and assure those workers that their job-based healthcare coverage will be continued during this critical time.
Call 202-224-3121 to be connected to your representative. (script below!)
Phone Script:
Hi [Rep], my name is [name] and I am a constituent asking you to include in the next stimulus package a 100% COBRA premium subsidy to ensure those out of work can still afford to remain on their healthcare during this emergency period. In the past, the federal government has subsidized COBRA premiums for workers in times of economic crisis. The unprecedented scale of sudden unemployment during the COVID-19 outbreak calls for immediate action by the federal government to ensure millions of us are not kicked off our health insurance plans during this pandemic. Please take action now. Thank you.
In solidarity,
President Adam Krauthamer