HEALTH INSURANCE AND MUSICIANS

With the healthcare debate raging on in Congress, now seems like a great time to discuss healthcare as it relates to musicians. A group called The Future of Music Coalition — a national nonprofit education, research and advocacy organization for musicians — has made it its mission to do just that.

If I were a betting man I’d place on wager on most working musicians being un- or under-insured, and if you’re like most working metal musicians I know you’ve been fucked over badly by an unexpected injury or illness. A 2002 study conducted by The Future of Music Coalition found that 44 percent of working musicians were uninsured… yikes. But that was 8 years ago, and Future of Music is currently conducting another survey to update their numbers with the times.

We’d like to invite all MetalSucks readers who are also working musicians to participate in the survey. Studies like this go a long way towards helping advocacy groups steer our government, both at the local and national level, in the right direction when it comes to healthcare policy. The survey asks key questions about artists’ access to coverage and their understanding of the current health insurance landscape. It only takes about 10 minutes to complete and the answers are anonymous and confidential.

-VN