Many local musicians say they wouldn’t be able to afford to be musicians in Austin without HAAM’s support.
AUSTIN, Texas — This week, Health Alliance for Musicians of Austin (HAAM) made a big request to the Austin City Council. He would commit $500,000 from the general budget so the organization could continue to provide affordable health care to musicians.
This is not the first time HAAM has received funding from the city. During the pandemic, the organization received some federal funding through the city. But this request is the biggest one.
“We specifically want to support this program and provide consistency to ensure musicians have access to health insurance,” said HAAM CEO Paul Scott. .
This funding will allow HAAM to continue funding musicians even if premiums change or carriers discontinue plans in Texas.
haam Help Austin Musicians Featuring premium assistance, primary care, vision care, dental care, hearing care, mind and body, fitness, and healthcare navigation. When the health insurance program launched in 2015, 85% of its members were uninsured, Scott said. Now the situation has completely turned around and 95% of his musicians are insured.
“We want to make sure they contribute in some way to Austin’s rich culture, and we want to keep that going,” Scott said. “We don’t want to lose that.”
local musicians scott stricklandHe has lived in Austin for the past 10 years and said the support from HAAM allows him to continue playing.
“If it wasn’t for HAAM, I don’t think I would be playing music,” Strickland said.
Strickland said he has seen many musicians forced out of Austin due to the rising cost of living.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people, especially people of color, have moved out of the city,” Strickland said.
And for those who are able to stay, Strickland said many have multiple jobs on top of their music careers, which takes away from their time to focus on the artistry of their music. , Strickland said he believes that’s what makes Austin musicians special.
“I don’t want to see the artistry and the things that have made this city so great go away for 50, 60 years because of all the changes that are going on,” Strickland said. Ta.
Recommendations from the Austin Music Commission will now go to the city administrator before being approved in the budget. Mr Scott said in the coming months the organization would also try to get more quality of life committees to support the music committee’s proposals.
If passed, it will be included in next fiscal year’s budget, which starts in October 2024.
