Drake Bell Criticizes SAG-AFTRA Over Health Insurance Denial
Actor Drake Bell criticizes SAG-AFTRA for denying health insurance, citing low earnings and union rules.
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Actor Drake Bell, known for his role on the Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh, has publicly criticized SAG-AFTRA, the major Hollywood union, for denying him health insurance coverage. Bell shared a screenshot on his Instagram Story showing that his earnings did not meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the union’s health plan.
Low Earnings and Union Rules
Bell’s earnings, as reported by the SAG-AFTRA health plan website, totaled $17,480.53, falling short of the required $28,933 threshold. In his post, Bell urged others not to become actors, stating, “Do not become an actor. Do not join SAG. You can work for 35 years and they still say [middle finger emoji].”
Union Response and Actor Concerns
Bell also tagged SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin, criticizing the union’s leadership, “@SAGAFTRA really though @SeanAstin you’re doing a bang up job. How about stop using actors to run things maybe? They literally just know how to say words in front of a camera.”
Other actors have raised similar concerns about the union’s health insurance policy. Jack Haven and Heather Matarazzo have spoken out, with Haven stating, “I’m in a bit of an emergency situation. I need to make $4,000 by the end of the month in order to qualify for SAG health insurance starting in January.” Matarazzo added, “I am literally in the same boat right now. Lots of my fellow actors are.”
Union Contract and Future Earnings
The SAG-AFTRA union contract is not static, with the required income threshold increasing by $900 each year until 2030. By that time, actors will need to earn at least $32,533 annually to qualify for the healthcare plan. Union scale wages for speaking roles range from as low as $256 a day for low-budget productions to $1,283 per day for high-budget projects.
Source: Breitbart
