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WGA members who lose their health insurance coverage on Oct. 1 will receive extended coverage through the end of the year, according to the guild’s tentative agreement. The extension also applies to authors who exhaust their COBRA benefits. WGA members will soon vote on ratifying the new agreement.
Union health plans have been struggling since the Writers Guild went on strike on May 2 and SAG-AFTRA on July 14 over a lack of employer contributions. The Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPIPHP), which covers IATSE West Coast locals, Teamsters Local 399 and several other industry unions, reportedly cut its employer contributions by $150 million during the strikes.
Several other health insurance plans, including those for members of the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, and IATSE, have made it easier to obtain health insurance during the strikes.
Last month, SAG-AFTRA Health Plan trustees unanimously approved a calendar quarter extension of health insurance coverage for certain qualified participants who would otherwise lose coverage on October 1.
And DGA Pension & Health Plans trustees last month approved a free major health plan for participants who lose coverage because of the strikes. The MPIPHP has also relaxed the requirements for its members to be eligible for health insurance to help participants and families affected by the strikes.