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S 3610, the COBRA Subsidy Bill for the Entertainment Industry, has been introduced into the New York State Senate and referred to the Senate Health Committee. It was introduced by Senator Kemp Hannon of Nassau County, with co-sponsorship from Republican Senators John A. DeFrancisco (Syracuse), John J. Flanagan (Suffolk County), Nancy Larraine Hoffman (Onondaga County) George D. Maziarz (Erie Monroe area) and Guy J. Velella (Bronx, Westchester, Chair of Senate Labor Committee).
Under COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, if an employee resigns or is terminated from work, federal law guarantees the worker's right to continue, on a self-pay basis, the former employer's group plan for individual or family health care coverage for up to 18 months. This coverage, however, can be extremely expensive. This bill, S 3610, creates a subsidy for the payment of 50% of the COBRA health premium for a period of up to one year for eligible members of the entertainment industry. It was initiated by, and has the support of, Equity and other unions and guilds through the New York Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Coalition.
This bill is identical to the bill that passed the State Assembly last year except for a different title.
Members are urged to send thank you letters to the following Senate sponsors (Please note: We have been told that "letters" work better than e-mails):
Kemp Hannon
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Senatorial District:
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06th, R-C-I
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Counties:
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Part of Nassau
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District Office:
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1600 Stewart Ave., Suite. 315, Westbury, NY 11590
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Phone:
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516-222-0068
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Albany Office:
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708 Legislative Office Bldg., Albany, NY 12247
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Office Phone:
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518-455-2200
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E-Mail:
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hannon@senate.state.ny.us
(Send mail to Albany)
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John A. DeFrancisco
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Senatorial District:
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50th, R-C-I
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Counties:
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Part of Onondaga
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District Office:
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804 State Office Bldg., 333 E. Washington St., Syracuse, NY 13202
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Phone:
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315-428-7632
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Albany Office:
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307 Legislative Office Bldg., Albany, NY 12247
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Office Phone:
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518-455-3511
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E-Mail:
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jdefranc@senate.state.ny.us
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John J. Flanagan
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Senatorial District:
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2nd, R-C-I
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Counties:
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Part of Suffolk
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District Office:
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260 Middle Country Rd., Suite 203, Smithtown, NY 11787
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Phone:
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631-361-2154
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Albany Office:
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817 Legislative Office Bldg., Albany, NY 12247
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Office Phone:
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518-455-2071
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E-Mail:
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flanagan@senate.state.ny.us
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Nancy Larraine Hoffman
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Senatorial District:
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49th, R
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Counties:
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Madison and parts of Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga
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District Office:
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801 State Office Bldg., 333 E. Washington St., Syracuse, NY 13202
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Phone:
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315-478-0072
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Albany Office:
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811 Legislative Office Bldg., Albany, NY 12247
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Office Phone:
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518-455-2665
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E-Mail:
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hoffman@senate.state.ny.us
(Send mail to District Office.)
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George D. Maziarz
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Senatorial District:
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62nd, R-C-I
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Counties:
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Orleans, parts of Monroe, Niagara
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District Office:
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60 Professional Parkway, Lockport, NY 14094
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Phone:
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716-438-0655
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Albany Office:
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805 Legislative Office Bldg., Albany, NY 12247
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Office Phone:
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518-455-2024
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E-Mail:
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maziarz@senate.state.ny.us
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Guy J. Velella
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Senatorial District:
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34th, R-C-I
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Counties:
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Parts of Bronx, Westchester
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District Office:
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2019 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10461
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Phone:
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718-792-7180
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Albany Office:
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805 Legislative Office Bldg., Albany, NY 12247
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Office Phone:
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518-455-3264
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E-Mail:
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velella@senate.state.ny.us
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