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. Thanks to all the musicians and other workers who contacted their members of Congress, there is now a bill called the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act that will provide coverage for the full cost of COBRA premiums for newly unemployed workers who normally receive coverage through their job.

We are calling on members of Congress to pass The Worker Health Coverage Protection Act to ensure musicians and other workers who are out of work can afford to remain on their healthcare during this public health crisis.

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 leaves millions of workers in jeopardy of being kicked off their employer-based health insurance plans during this pandemic. (In New York alone, unemployment claims for the entertainment industry went up 3,880% in the last week of March compared to last year.)

Local 802 musicians and our fellow entertainment workers look forward to the day when our workplaces can reopen and we can return to doing what we do best: making music and bringing joy to live audiences. The only way this will be possible is if workers have access to the healthcare we need while theaters and venues remain closed. We need Congress to pass the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act now.

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 support the Worker Health Coverage Protection Act. This bill will cover COBRA premiums and ensure that musicians like me who are out of work can afford to remain on our healthcare during this public health crisis. Please take action now. Thank you.

In solidarity,

President Adam Krauthamer