First Ever Jockey Health Insurance Plan at NYRA

The New York Racing Association has reached an agreement with the Jockey’s Guild to extend formal health care coverage to New York Thoroughbred jockeys, NYRA announced yesterday. The program has been approved by the New York State Gaming Commission and will begin later this month. 

As recommended by the New York Task Force on Jockey Health and Safety, a dedicated funding stream was set aside for the program, which is expected to cover 50-75 current and former jockeys. 

Jockeys must have ridden in at least 250 races at Aqueduct, Belmont or Saratoga during the prior year, or 150 races at Finger Lakes. Certain disabled or retired jockeys will also be covered and jockeys meeting these requirements will be eligible for reimbursements for their 2014 health expenses. 

In 2015 and beyond, jockeys will purchase and be reimbursed for health insurance purchased on the exchange operated in New York under the new national health care program. New York now joins Delaware, California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey offering financial assistance toward jockey health insurance. 

“The New York Racing Association is proud to assist in facilitating health insurance options for New York jockeys,” stated Christopher Kay, Chief Executive Officer and President of the New York Racing Association. “Consistent with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal of expanding health care insurance coverage to more New Yorkers, the New York Racing Association worked with the Governor and legislative leaders to further strengthen the safety net for our jockeys.” 

“The Jockeys’ Guild sincerely appreciates Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Co-Leaders Skelos and Klein, Assembly Speaker Silver, and Anthony Bonomo, the Chair of the New York Task Force on Jockey Health and Safety, for bringing New York up to the level of other racing jurisdictions,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Guild. “We look forward to continuing our working relationship with the racing industry in New York to assure that our riders have the safest environment possible.” 

John Velazquez, Chairman of the Guild, reiterated “the jockeys who regularly ride in New York deeply appreciate the work by Governor Cuomo, legislative leaders, Dean Skelos, Jeff Klein and Shelly Silver, as well as NYRA Board member Anthony Bonomo to create a jockey health plan for qualifying New York riders.”