Home / Arts and Entertainment / WGA Members Face Health Coverage Changes After New Deal
WGA Members Face Health Coverage Changes After New Deal
15 Apr
Summary
- WGA West reached a deal to address rising healthcare costs.
- The agreement revises the points system for health coverage accrual.
- A four-year contract was agreed upon, longer than the usual three.
The Writers Guild of America West has reached an agreement to restructure its health plan, facing a nearly $40 million annual cost and significant deficits. The revised deal adjusts the points system for health coverage, slowing accrual rates and increasing the cost to maintain benefits. This comes as the number of writers using points for healthcare has doubled, straining the fund.
To address the financial strain, WGA West agreed to a four-year contract, longer than the typical three years. This extended term was a concession to studios seeking stability, especially after the 2023 strike. In exchange, the companies committed $321 million to bolster the health fund.
Changes include adjustments to how points are banked, with higher earners accruing about half the points they previously did. Premiums for Anthem coverage are increasing, and writers may opt for a narrower network plan for lower costs. The WGA also committed to continued dialogue with studios over the next four years regarding artificial intelligence, aiming for transparency in how AI training impacts writers.
