EQUITY News MAY 2010 President Obama Names Two
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MAY 2010 “Our life is frittered Volume 95 away by detail. Number 4 Simplify. Simplify.” EQUITYNEWS — Henry David Thoreau A Publication of Actors’ Equity Association • NEWS FOR THE THEATRE PROFESSIONAL • www.actorsequity.org • Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and Additional Mailing Offices America’s New Health Care Equity Reviewing Options System Impacts Equity to Close Budget Gap Members, Families By Steven DiPaola a projected deficit of its own, However, many of the budget By Rachel Laforest insurance application. Most times Assistant Executive though a much smaller one of restraints put in place last year Public Policy Director it is an ailment that developed Director for Finance and $285,000. A number of budget were necessarily short-term over time or was unknown to the Administration restraints were put in place last because continuing them would he new health care plan holder and their doctor. year to keep that deficit low, and result in a decreased ability to reform legislation passed n March 16, 2010, the • Insurers with unusually high they worked very well. As a maintain member services and by Congress will have Equity Council T administrative costs have to offer matter of fact, those restraints, provide responsible stewardship immediate and long term approved the budget for rebates to their customers, and O combined with better than of Equity’s resources. In addition, impacts on Equity members and every insurance company will the 2010-2011 fiscal year that expected working dues income some unusual costs will occur their families. have to reveal how much it began on April 1. This budget from the Production contract (a during this fiscal year, such as It will create stronger spends on overhead. Insurers projects an operating deficit of common trend during economic those associated with the search accountability mechanisms for will be required to spend $1.9 million. Fortunately, Equity downturns because the for a new Executive Director. insurance companies, make it between 80 to 85 cents of every has a healthy reserve fund that prevalence of star-driven shows Finally, costs that are outside of law for most Americans to carry dollar of their premium revenues can cover a deficit of this size, on Broadway drives earnings Equity’s control continue to rise health insurance, try to keep on medical claims. The largest but many may be wondering, up), actually resulted in a small and the impact of the recession premium costs down and for-profit insurance companies “How did we get here?” surplus of about $300,000 by the lingers in various ways. subsidize many who cannot currently spend about 74 cents For one thing, the budget for time last fiscal year came to an Consequently, all of this has afford coverage. It is far from a out of every dollar on medical the 2009-2010 fiscal year carried end on March 31, 2009. (continued on page 3) perfect solution but it represents care. a significant step towards • Those insurers who raise affordable health insurance for prices excessively could be the thousands of Equity Los Angeles barred from State insurance members and all Americans who exchanges and premiums for cannot presently afford it. older people cannot be more Equity Joins Rally Protesting Anti-Union What kicks in this year? than three times the premium for • Insurance companies will no young adults. Activities at L.A. Film School longer be able to put a lifetime • Children will be considered quity, AFTRA, the Angeles Film School protesting sympathizer and disciplined cap on their costs. Annual caps “dependent” until the age of 26 Directors Guild, Writers efforts by the school to block another since the California will be severely reduced and and therefore eligible for cover - Guild, AFM and several union organizing by 125 faculty Federation of Teachers had totally eliminated in 2014. E age on a parent’s health plan. locals of IATSE rallied on March members. begun organizing activities. The • Insurance companies will not Within six months, all health 24, 2010 outside the Sunset Union supporters alleged the school also required faculty to be allowed to deny coverage to plans, including employer-spon - Boulevard offices of the Los school had fired one union attend anti-union meetings. children because of a preexisting sored plans, must cover children Eastern Regional Vice condition. A special program will of policyholders. President Kate Shindle spoke at help adults with preexisting con - • Over three million Medicare the rally, saying: “It is time for ditions find coverage, until 2014 recipients will get a one-time the employer to stop denying when insurers will be required to rebate of $250 towards closing the Los Angeles Film School cover everyone , regardless of the Medicare D “donut hole” in and Los Angeles Recording preexisting conditions. their prescription drug coverage. School faculty their democratic • Rescission - the technical Next year, 50% of the donut hole right to form a union… It is a term for canceling coverage on will be covered and the entire violation of the National Labor grounds that the insurance com - gap will be eliminated by 2020. Relations Act for an employer to pany was “misled,” will end. • Medicare will now provide a intimidate, harass or interfere Rescission has been found to be free visit to primary care physi - with employees who seek union practiced when plan holders find cians every year to plan out pre - representation. Those who want themselves sick with something vention services. it are legally protected in their they had not mentioned on their • Small businesses will get tax efforts, and must be able to do credits - up to 50% of premium so without implicit or explicit costs - for offering health insur - Eastern Regional Vice President Kate Shindle speaks at the threats about their job security ance to their workers. protest rally in Los Angeles. • Employer plans that cover (continued on page 3) early retirees ages 55 to 64 will receive a subsidy. • Beginning in 2011 a volun - All of Ohio Now in Central Region tary federal program will be established to provide long-term or more than 15 years, “Responsibility for each theatre non-Councillor CRB members care insurance and cash benefits the State of Ohio has in the area is being transferred are elected by the membership to people with severe disabilities. Fbeen divided in half by to the Central Region when they living in the Central Region to The amount of benefits will vary, Equity—the western portion of begin their next season. All serve on the Board. All depending on the degree of a the state belonged to Equity’s Guest Artist and Special members resident in the Central person’s disability, but could not Central Region and the eastern Appearance theatres are being Region are entitled to seek average less than $50 a day. portion of the state was part of transferred when they seek new election to these non-Councillor Starting in 2014, Equity’s Eastern Region. That’s contracts.” positions as well as to vote in the bill will provide: all been changed now as All members in the Central the election. Council has approved the Region, including the members Insurance Exchanges transfer of administration of the in eastern Ohio, are eligible to These on-line insurance Index eastern portion of Ohio from participate in a separate S marketplaces will help individuals Equity’s Eastern Region to the election held each summer to Equity reviewing options to W and employers to shop for d close budget gap ....................1 e Central Region. “All theatres elect the non-Councillor portion t E t s insurance and compare prices e e 6 e New health care system u e 3 and all members in Ohio will of the Central Regional Board N g r q 0 Y and benefits. t a e t 0 N impacts Equity .......................1 S s R now have their contract and (CRB). Under the National 1 , Y o k h Government Contracted e r P t Y c i T o 6 membership issues handled by Representation Plan, the Letters .................................2 s v N Y r s 4 I Insurance , e a w t l k e S the staff of the Central Regional Central Region is entitled to only r s C The Short Engagement Touring U N While there is no Public e s o d s Y n n i W Office in Chicago,” reports six Councillors (based on e Agreement ............................3 r o w d option, like a “Medicare for All” Q 5 d c i e d e 6 a Central Regional Director population). In order for the CRB 1 A N S P E Postcards from the Regions .......5 (continued on page 3) Kathryn V. Lamkey. to function, an additional 12 2 / EQUITY news MAY 2010 President Obama Names Two U.S.Postage Letters to The Editor 44 Letters received from paid up members on subjects of concern to Equity member s will be considered and to Labor Relations Board published as soon as possible. The Editor reserves the right to limit letters to 150 words and to select one or two representative letters when many similar letters are received. Letters must be signed, but names ver the holiday recess, lawyer for his entire career and will be withheld on request for those letters which may affect members’ employment. Signatures will not President Obama filled practices in the State of New be withheld on letters antagonistic or accusatory, either implied or expressed, against other members. Opinions Otwo vacancies on the York. In 2008, he was appointed expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of Actors’ Equity Association.