A 2010 Future of Music Coalition survey found that 33 percent of the 1,400 musicians surveyed didn't have health insurance—twice the national average. In 2010, Congress succeeded in passing a health care reform bill, but what does it mean for “real musicians”—namely, those artists and songwriters trying to make a living in a time of unprecedented economic challenge? What will the law do to expand coverage for the creative class, and how can musicians take advantage of these changes? One of the most pressing issues is the mandate that all Americans -- including musicians -- attain health insurance coverage by 2014. How will musicians access affordable coverage in the next three years?
ALEX MAIOLO has worked with The Future of Music Coalition for nine years, primarily focusing on the health insurance crisis as it relates to the working musician. In 2005, with the aid of a Cummings Grant, the Health Insurance Navigation Tool (HINT) was developed. Musicians in need of health insurance advice can access HINT for free consultations. There's nothing for sale, just free, unbiased advice on how to sift through the complex world of health insurance.
In addition, Alex plays in various bands, including the Pop/Gaze outfit Soft Company, and Ambient/Slo-Core staple Hi Fi Sky.
He is a Senior Contributor to Tape Op Magazine, and the owner of Seriously Adequate recording studio. He is a partner with an insurance agency in the Carrboro/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina. Insurance as it relates to the artist, studio owner, and musician is part of a typical day's tasks. He has been an active musician since he was nine years old, and an active fan since he was learning to crawl. In addition to appearing on various panels (SXSW '06-'10 TapeOpCon '04-'08, Pop Montreal '06, FMC Policy Summits '03-'10 PopAsheville '07-'09 Six Points Music Festival '07, CMJ '06) to discuss the troubling state of health insurance in the U.S., he has given his time to educate young musicians as to how they can stay active in music-related projects for their entire lives. But he still hasn't found the perfect bread pudding.ve in music-related projects for their entire lives.
RENATA MARINARO is Manager of Health Services Education at The Actors Fund. She counsels entertainers nationwide and has written "Every Artist Insured", a guide to health care reform available at ahirc.org. Renata is a social worker and has worked in hospitals, a drug treatment program, and at CancerCare.
Patrick Spurgeon:
Drummer of Rogue Wave (2002-current) and the subject of "D-tour", a documentary film which addresses the issue of being a working musician dealing with kidney failure and the need to administer self dialysis in order to stay healthy and alive while on tour.
NAN WARSHAW co-founded Bloodshot Records in 1994. She received her BA from The Evergreen State College, and her MA in Arts Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College. She proudly sits on the Advisory board of The Future Of Music Coalition and the Chicago Music Coalition, and on the honorary board of Rock For Kids. Nan was featured as a small business owner on the White House web site for Health Care Reform. Prior to Bloodshot, Nan was a DJ at punk rock clubs and college radio, an independent publicist, a club buyer, an indie booking agent, and she worked in the non-profit sector. The Bloodshot artists showcasing at SXSW this year include: Exene Cervenka, Ha Ha Tonka, Scott Biram, Ben Weaver, Jon Langford & Skull Orchard, Maggie Bjorklund, Whitey Morgan & the 78s, Eddie Spaghetti, Lydia Loveless, and the Waco Brothers.
SEAN GAMBLE, MD, specializes in pediatric hospital-based medicine in Oakland, California. He regularly helps families negotiate the health care system in a variety of acute and critical care situations, but
when not at the hospital, you'll see this doctor and musician frequenting indie shows in the Bay Area.
CAROLYN SCHWARZ serves as executive director of Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), which provides access to affordable healthcare services to the city’s low-income, uninsured working musicians. In 5 _ years, HAAM has served more than 2,200 musicians and raised over $2.5 million. Schwarz was named Austinite of the Year in the 2009 Austin Under 40 Awards. She lives in Austin with her husband and their two children.
