Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1474192
A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 I 3 Pension & Health Plans Add New Benefits to Protect Abortion Rights for Members and Dependents On July 18, the Board of Trustees of the Directors Guild of America–Producer Pension and Health Plans today approved several Health Plan amendments to expand coverage of abortion services to include dependent children and offer travel benefits for covered Health Plan participants living or working in covered employment locations where abortion services are no longer permitted. DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter made the following statement supporting the Plans decisions: "The actions taken today by the Plans Trustees demonstrate strong and decisive leadership to ensure that our members and their dependents will continue to be able to have access to safe abortion services regardless of where they live and work. I am proud that in a time when our human rights are being challenged and so much in our nation is unclear regarding abortion rights after the devastating decision by the Supreme Court, that the DGA Plans offer clear and comprehensive abortion coverage for our members." The Plans trustees voted unanimously to add the following two additional benefits: • Expanded coverage of abortion services to dependent children of Health Plan participants • Added coverage of abortion-related travel costs for covered Health Plan participants living or working in covered employment in locations where abortion services are no longer permitted. In addition, the Trustees reconfirmed existing coverage of both elective and medically necessary abortions and coverage of the drugs necessary to induce abortion. "The expansion of abortion services by the Plans this morning is critical to protect the health, safety and rights of DGA members and their dependents," said Plans Chair, Jay D. Roth in discussing the actions taken by the Trustees this morning. "The Guild and Management Trustees were unanimous in their decisions today, recognizing that travel coverage, and the inclusion of dependent children were vital additions to ensure coverage regardless of where members live and work." For more information visit www.dgaplans.org. DGA Condemns SCOTUS Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade On June 24, the DGA issued the following statement strongly condemning the decision of the Supreme Court which overturns 50 years of precedent in reproductive rights for women. "Today's Supreme Court decision is a giant step backwards for our country and puts women's lives at risk," said DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter. "It denies countless women the most basic of their human rights – the right to autonomy over their own bodies. We are committed to making sure our members continue to have access and ability to make their own reproductive decisions and determine the path they set for their own lives. We strongly condemn this ruling and stand in solidarity with so many others speaking out to decry this travesty." Also, on June 29, the DGA Women's Steering Committee and the Focus on Women Committee held a joint session to discuss the ramifications of this ruling. See more from that meeting on page 19.