SAG-AFTRA Funds Held in Trust Rise Slightly to $215.6 Million

David Robb Labor EditorEXCLUSIVE: Representatives of trustees of the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan have told members in a series of Zoom conferences that employer contributions to the Plan and participant premiums have not kept up with the skyrocketing cost of providing health care coverage to some 33,000 participants and their 32,000 family members.

Dave McNary Film ReporterAllies of SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris have blamed rising costs for recently announced changes that will sharply cut eligibility for the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan on Jan. 1.“Nothing is as personal or emotionally charged as our health and the peace of mind that comes with having quality healthcare at an affordable price,” the Unite for Strength faction said in an email to members sent Monday.

David Robb Labor EditorUnite for Strength, part of the ruling coalition of SAG-AFTRA, is calling for unity as thousands of performers and their family members face losing their health coverage next year due to a restructuring of the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, which is projecting a $141 million deficit this year and $83 million next year.More than 13,000 members and their supporters, led by the union’s Membership First opposition party, have signed a petition calling on the Plan’s trustees to scrap

The petition, hosted on Change.org, was nearing 11,600 signatures by 6 p.m. PT on Saturday.In a letter to members sent out on Wednesday, managers of the guild’s health plan said the changes are necessary because of projected deficits “of $141 million this year and $83 million in 2021,” and that “by 2024, the Health Plan is projected to run out of reserves.”The health plan currently covers those making more than $18,040 per year.

Dave McNary Film ReporterMore than 11,400 people have asked trustees of the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan to overturn recently announced changes that will cut eligibility for the plan on Jan. 1.The petition at change.org — titled “Overturn the changes made to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan” — noted that the changes are being imposed amid the pandemic and characterized them as “unconscionable.”The health plan announced in an email it sent to members on Aug.

David Robb Labor EditorTwo members of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee that bargained for the union’s recently ratified film and TV contract said tonight that they had not been told during the talks of the severity of the problems facing the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan.The plan’s restructuring is projected to remove some 3,500 participants and 3,200 family members from coverage come Jan.

David Robb Labor EditorHard times call for hard decisions, which trustees of the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan say they had to make to save health benefits for future generations of participants.Even before the pandemic, the Plan was facing unsustainable deficits, and the COVID-19 production shutdown accelerated the need for a complete overhaul of its benefits structures.

David Robb Labor EditorMore than 1,300 angry SAG-AFTRA members have signed a petition calling on the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan to overturn changes that will leave many members without health coverage during the coronavirus pandemic.The Plan says that the changes, which go into effect January 1, are needed to keep the Plan solvent in the face of staggering deficits.

Daniel Holloway Executive Editor, TVSAG-AFTRA’s health plan announced changes Wednesday night that would see premiums for members increase and rules around eligibility tighten.

David Robb Labor EditorFacing staggering deficits, the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan is raising premiums and earnings thresholds for coverage come January 1.

straight to your inboxBorussia Dortmund say they have no issue with Manchester United transfer target Jadon Sancho travelling to the UK and expect him to return to training on Monday.Dortmund have set a deadline of August 10 for United to complete a deal for the England international but MEN Sport understand the club are prepared to walk away from the deal due to their unrealistic asking price.

Michelle Keegan has admitted being in quarantine for 14 days after her Spanish holiday is “worth it” in an Instagram post.The former Our Girl actress posted a stunning photo of herself from her holiday to Marbella and Ibiza with husband Mark Wright on Instagram as she made the revelation.

Former actress Cameron Diaz opened up about her decision to leave Hollywood for good in a conversation with Gwyneth Paltrow for her digital series, In Goop Health: The Sessions."I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life.

Peter Andre has been reunited with his children Junior, 15, and Princess, 13, following their trip to Turkey with their mum Katie Price and her new man, Carl Woods.The 47 year old singer shared a sweet selfie of himself and daughter Princess as they travelled on a train while wearing face masks.The doting dad simply captioned the sweet image with: "I mean……”, while he also shared a video of himself making noises from behind his mask.