Freelance and contract workers are an important part of the
workforce for many Silicon Valley companies, including drivers at
Uber and rival Lyft Inc, and technology companies also have been
among the most vocal in confronting Trump administration policies -
particularly immigration - that they perceive as hurting their
workforce.
Uber describes its program as a response to a growing need for
drivers rather than a political act. The program is part of an
effort started in June by Uber to improve the company's relationship
with drivers by rolling out new initiatives and features, such as
tipping, that better serve them.
Starting on Friday, Uber will hold events for drivers in 28 U.S.
cities, from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, to offer in-person
assistance in signing up for insurance plans offered through the
Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. Uber did not
disclose a budget for the initiative.
The Uber program is an expansion of a partnership with Stride
Health, a health consultant startup that specializes in helping
independent workers choose health, dental and vision insurance
plans. Stride said it is also working separately with a group of
companies, including Etsy Inc <ETSY.O>, DoorDash Inc and Postmates
Inc, to sign up independent contractors for insurance.
Uber has had a difficult year in the face of a federal probe into
whether it broke bribery laws, allegations of sexual harassment, and
other issues that led the company to bring in a new chief executive
and promise to take better care of drivers.
Former CEO Travis Kalanick also drew criticism for joining President
Donald Trump’s business advisory council. Kalanick left the council
in February.
Across the United States, Obamacare enrollment for 2018 is clouded
by uncertainty as experts expect reduced participation amid bitter
political debate around the program's future.
[to top of second column] |
Republicans in Congress have repeatedly failed to repeal and replace
former President Barack Obama's healthcare law, which they have said
drives up costs for consumers and interferes with personal medical
decisions. Democrats have warned that repeal would leave millions of
Americans without health coverage.
Meghan Joyce, regional general manager of the United States and
Canada for Uber, said in a phone interview this week that there was
an appetite for healthcare among drivers. Nearly 150,000 Uber
drivers enrolled for insurance plans through Stride Health last
year. “This year we're doubling down on that,” Joyce said.
The Trump administration has shortened the Affordable Care Act
enrollment period, which is currently open. It also has cut the
advertising budget to $10 million and slashed by 40 percent the
budget for support staff, known as navigators, who help people
choose policies.
“Those are gone in most parts of the country," said Stride Health
Chief Executive Noah Lang in a phone interview on Friday.
The enrollment period ends on Dec. 15. in most states.
“There’s independent contractors who need coverage right now. The
law of the land says they have access to it. It’s our No. 1 job to
make sure they get it,” Lang said.
(Reporting by Salvador Rodriguez; Editing by Peter Henderson and
Matthew Lewis)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |