A survey of 500 workers at Atlantic City’s Trump Taj Mahal found that 44 percent do not have health insurance after the casino was allowed to cancel the benefit last year.
The survey of 500 workers released by Local 54 of the Unite-HERE union—the city’s largest casino workers union—found that 44 percent have not been able to find alternative health insurance. An additional 23 percent rely on government subsidies to pay for health insurance, presumably through the Affordable Care Act.
A bankruptcy judge in October allowed Trump Entertainment Resorts to cancel health and pension coverage for workers. Instead, employees are paid a stipend toward the cost of buying insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
The union found, however, that even with the stipend, many employees say they still can’t afford insurance.
The in-person survey also found that at least 70 percent of respondents say they feel depressed numerous times a week.
The union has appealed the bankruptcy court ruling in its ongoing fight with billionaire Carl Icahn, who is in the process of taking over the property through its bankruptcy. Icahn has said he will close the casino is the union wins its appeal.
Union President Bob McDevitt told the Associated Press the report shows “that for the men and women of the Taj Mahal, the lack of health insurance is a crisis.”
