Why does the union need health care reform??


As a union, our primary task is to bargain the best wages, working conditions, and benefits possible for ourselves.  But we are severely disadvantaged when the cost of our health care is outpacing the cost of everything else, yet we must assume the cost of it every time we sit to bargain a contract. 

This is not just happening to AFTRA.  It is happening to everyone. A huge proportion of available money that should be going toward wage increases, improvements in working conditions and increases in retirement benefits goes toward propping up our fantastically inefficient, profit-driven health care "system".  Certainly not the fault of our health plan, by the way.

System or racket?  We've been wondering.  As relevant as ever, read the article on "The Wall Street Option" and the tactics of private insurance.  Make sure you catch Wendell Potter on the industry he worked for and knows well.  We've posted the whole lotta horse pukey from the head of Whole Foods because, well, you can't make this stuff up.

But the significant court challenges to National Health Care reform continue to move ahead.  Will the courts invalidate the "must carry" provision?  Will the Republicans in Congress refuse to fund the federal government's portion of the reform program?  The entire system goes 'live' January 1, 2014.  We'll have an answer before then, you can bet on it. 

Don't know what's actually IN the new reform?  Read below.  Or, visit Actors Fund "Health Insurance Resource Center" (see the box to the right).  They have a brilliant little booklet explaining it all. 

We include here a link to the AFTRA Convention Resolution on health care reform.  We hope you read it.  It sets out the ugly facts of American health care, facts that have only gotten worse since 2007, the year this resolution was adopted. And it supports universal care (everyone in) and preferably "single payer".  Why?  Because this is the best way to contain costs.  And, once again, lower costs translate into better wages, better working conditions, and better retirement benefits.

                                      
                                     The Reform We Got


Here are some links to some documents that the national AFL-CIO prepared to outline what was achieved and the timeline of those changes. 

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear the challenge to the health reform act in the spring of 2012.  They've even set aside additional time to do so.  So, hang on to your hats.  This probably won't be a narrow little decision.  We do note that despite the hysteria, the Russians haven't landed in St. Louis, space monkeys haven't invaded our hospitals and private insurance companies are still able to raise your rates and cut your benefits. 

So, don't worry.

AFL-CIO Health Care Information and Alerts

Health reform: fact and fiction

Health reform: a timeline for implementation   
The "Wall Street Option":
The only option we currently have
Private Insurance Industry: Tactics remain the same
CEO of Whole Foods to his customers:
Quit belly-aching and get a health savings account!
Hook, line and sinker, the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods parrots the insurance industry line and tells his customers that they should stay away from "government run health care", be afraid of "rationing", and get with the "health savings accounts" plan.  In case you've forgotten, those accounts were the centerpiece of the George W. Bush health reform initiative.  As if our pockets aren't picked enough already....
Cigna "Whistle-blower" interviewed on Bill Moyers' Journal
Wendell Potter, former head of communications for CIGNA, one of America's private health insurance giants, talks about his experience with CIGNA, their sole focus, tactics and success at spreading "fear of a resonable public option".  A must see. 
 
 
Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC)

Aboslutely the best resource for performers looking for health insurance.  A project of the Actors Fund, AHIRC has offices in New York and available for one on one counseling.  If you need health insurance, or if you have questions about getting health insurance, or have questions about what is in the current health reform act, visit the AHIRC website. 

NOTE: When you become a member of the Actors Fund, AHIRC is part of what you help make possible.  If you are not already a member of AF, consider joining.  Memberships are quite reasonable and the benefits enormous.