Articles

Got Health Insurance?

With the issue of health insurance so much a mainstream focus at the moment, the Future of Music Coalition is conducting a musician-focused coverage survey. If you are a musician or composer and can spare 10 minutes of your time, the survey is here.

Written By

Molly Sheridan

There’s been a political and media focus of late on Americans’ health insurance coverage (or lack thereof), but it’s been a while since we looked at this issue from the new music field’s standpoint. Back in 2002 NewMusicBox did a bit of reporting on this topic and the Future of Music Coalition did a musician-focused coverage survey. The facts and figures were worrisome: 44 percent of the FMC survey’s 2,700 respondents said they did not have health insurance.

With the issue so much a mainstream focus at the moment, FMC is gathering fresh data and conducting a second survey. They are looking at such factors as: Has the number increased or decreased over the last eight years? What are the factors that make it difficult to get insured? Do musicians know about the plans offered by some unions and professional organizations?

If you are a musician or composer and can spare 10 minutes of your time, the survey is here. Responses will be accepted until April 1, 2010.