In the short term, our union is looking to partner with ADP to offer an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). Under this plan, UVW will be able to subsidize health insurance plans purchased through a marketplace members are granted access to.
More details here: https://www.adp.com/resources/articles-and-insights/articles/i/ichra.aspx
As more members seek health insurance through UVW, our union might be able to move to a Group Plan, in which the union pays a flat fee in order to provide health insurance for freelance members.
More details here: https://www.adp.com/what-we-offer/benefits/group-health-insurance.aspx
In the long term, our union may seek to create a Taft-Hartley plan. In this scenario, our union will set up an account to pay for healthcare benefits, and will fold contributions from employers into union bargaining agreements. Folding in employer contributions would allow for more affordable and comprehensive coverage. This option will require coordination from other CWA locals in the games industry. It is not an option our union is pursuing now, but one it is eyeing as membership grows.
More details here: https://selerix.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-aca-and-taft-hartley-plans/