Share Your Story
Health Access California, a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to achieving quality, affordable health care for all Californians, has been collecting stories for many years from hundreds of people who have had trouble getting the health care they needed, when they needed it, at a price they could afford. Artists United for Healthcare has joined with Health Access to collect the stories of California’s artists along with the stories of all Californians on Health Access’ “Share Your Story” webpage. Please take the time to visit Health Access’ webpage and share your story about your trials with the health care system.
Go to Health Access California and share your story!
Also, here are two stories that fellow artists have shared with us and Health Access:
“It was always my dream to be an artist but I did not allow myself to pursue it for all the practical reasons people don't follow their heart. Mainly, I was afraid to be an impoverished, starving artist. After a ten year career in national health administration with the federal government, I still longed to do my art and got the courage to take leave from my job to finally pursue my unrealized dream of being an artist.
I sold my house and took all my savings to invest in living the life of an artist in San Diego for as long as I could afford to do it. I was able to support myself from February 2005 until the summer of 2006. The start up cost to market oneself properly as an Artist is quite substantial…[At this point] I was already 36 years old and was getting on in years to start a family. My husband was pressuring me about the declining fertility rate of women over 35. I understood the urgency…but knew I would need health care, so I inquired about insurance.
As an artist just getting started to produce work and do shows and get promotional materials together, the extra $350 a month seemed…but I had to get it…[A few months before this] I had a urinary track infection and sought medical treatment for it…[When] I did an internet search and contacted a number of companies (e.g. Blue Cross, Blue Shield) they said if I had had a UTI in the previous number of months before applying, I would be ineligible for insurance.
With a heavy heart, I had to let go of the idea of doing art full-time and began to apply again for career jobs away from the Art industry again, to insure I would make good money, have health insurance through work, not to mention support a family. In the process of applying for jobs and interviewing, we learned we were pregnant, and I quickly became fatigued and nauseated. I was unsure if I would even be employable let alone insurable. In talking with the insurance companies they indicated that pregnancy would also disqualify me from insurance. I was scared and ill and in need of regular prenatal care, not to mention medical support for a safe delivery. I inquired about costs to pay for these things out of pocket and it was obvious I would never be able to afford or repay the costs of a pregnancy and delivery.
Fortunately, I hold both a US and Canadian passport. With universal health care covering all expenses in Canada, it quickly became obvious that I would not only have to give up being an Artist, but also give up living in the United States. Unfortunately, my husband did not have the luxury of dual citizenship, which meant he was not allowed to take up residence in Canada, nor could he work to support himself there so he was forced to stay behind. He was able to come for the birth of our beautiful, healthy baby girl, Ruby Marie, but on visitor status and the separation was very difficult on us and our relationship. For now, we are still situated in Canada with my husband on a pending extension of visitor status. Our dream is to return to the US with our family, to be able to get jobs and insurance for all of us and for me to pursue, in some capacity, my dream of being a California Artist.”
“For several years, my employer covered my health insurance. When I left there and used the COBRA plan to continue my insurance, I was soon after diagnosed with malignant skin cancer, which minor surgery addressed. When COBRA ran out, I was able to get into the High Risk Insurance pool (HIPPA?), however the deductable has been nearly three thousand dollars annually and the premiums at almost $600 per month.
As a performing artist, my income is constantly changing with its highs and lows and the insurance premiums were killing me (no pun.) Many months, I could barely scrape together the monthly premium. And since any doctor visit would apply to the deductable (and therefore come out of my pocket on top of the costs of the monthly premium), I couldn't afford to go to the doctor like most people.
Two months ago, I had to let the insurance coverage lapse. However, any new employers insurance or private insurance attempts will deny me because seven years ago, I had skin cancer that was corrected by minor surgery –because they consider this a pre-existing condition. For almost two years, I have not been to any doctor or needed any prescription -- meaning that the insurance company has paid $0.00 towards any medical benefits towards me. Now, I'm unable to get insurance at any cost due to this "pre-existing" condition.
Technically correct? Yes. Fair? No. Morally correct? NO “