NBA players vote unanimously to fund health insurance coverage for retired players

In an unprecedented move, the NBA Players Association will be offering retired players with at least three years of experience health insurance through a program funded by the league’s current players. This is the first time a North American professional sports union has created a program to provide benefits to former players using money from active ones.

The vote was unanimous, according to the NBA press release.

The plan involves a tiered coverage program for players with varying years of experience, including coverage for the spouses of those with 10 years or more of service. The biggest beneficiaries, however, will likely be the retired players with between three and six years of experience who are not eligible for Medicare.

“The game has never before been more popular, and all the players in our league today recognize that we’re only in this position because of the hard work and dedication of the men who came before us,” said NBPA President Chris Paul. “It’s important that we take care of our entire extended NBA family, and I’m proud of my fellow players for taking this unprecedented step to ensure the health and well-being of our predecessors.”

The decision is just the latest the NBPA has taken to insure the well-being of its former members. In the past, the NBPA, in conjunction with the league, issued a cardiac screening program to look for early detection of heart conditions, something that afflicts a lot of former NBA players. While that was a valuable service, it can’t compare with the coverage they will get now that they will receive health insurance funded by current members of the association.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Chris, our Executive Committee and our entire membership,” said Executive Director of the NBPA Michele Roberts. “Providing health care security for players who came before them has been on the players’ minds for the past year and they worked closely with us to make it happen.”

The open enrollment period for retired players would begin this fall, with coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2017.