AFTRA is particularly sensitive to how the current national crisis in health care affects our members. We work with a diverse coalition of groups to identify solutions to rising costs and decreasing benefits. Where possible, AFTRA provides supplementary insurance and health care discount programs. AFTRA is a member of the National Coalition on Health Care.

Alarmed at a "deepening health care crisis," the National Coalition on Health Care, at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on July 20, urged comprehensive reforms that would insure all Americans, control rapidly rising health costs, and dramatically improve quality and patient safety. 
      •Press Release 
        •AFTRA Statement in Support of Reform

February 23, 2005, Sacramento, CA - The California Health Insurance Reliability Act (CHIRA), SB 840  Introduced.  On February 23,  California State Senator Sheila Kuehl announced the introduction of SB 840 to the California legislature.  According to Kuehl the bill will cover every Californian with comprehensive health insurance and guarantee their right to choose their own physician, while containing health care cost inflation.  By slashing the administrative costs of health insurance and utilizing California's purchasing power to buy prescription drugs and medical equipment in bulk, CHIRA is estimated to save  $25 billion in the the first year in statewide health care spending.  In January  Senator Kuehl released a report entitled The Healthcare for All Californians Act:  Cost and Economic Impacts, also known as The Lewin Report.  According to Senator Kuehl, "the [Lewin] report was prepared over a one year time frame. . .  [and] the findings of the report confirm that California can create a fiscally sound state insurance plan that covers every Californian with a solid, comprehensive health plan, reduces costs and controls health cost inflation."  The California Health Insurance Reliability Act (CHIRA) is "based on the insurance design studied in the report and will save money, on average, for individuals, families, businesses and the state and local governments now paying for health insurance."  According to Senator Kuehl, "The Lewin Report is based on a model in which every Californian has access to the physician of his or her choice."  Click here to find a copy of the full report or a summary>>.   Senator Kuehl's Statement to the Press>>  Lewin Group Report Release of The Health Care for All Californians Act: Cost and Economic Impacts Analysis Fact Sheet>>           .
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New York Health Insurance Continuation Assistance Demonstration Program, (the "COBRA Bill").  Signed into law September 21, 2004, this first of its kind legislation will provide a 50% subsidy, for those members whose income qualifies them, to assist in paying for COBRA extended health insurance premiums.  Click here for details>>