What's up
California's artists have an unprecedented opportunity to join forces and have a voice in the current debate to create a statewide health care policy that is good for all Californians. Research has shown that at least half-a-million artists are contributing daily to the economy, social well-being, and global influence of California. As the current legislative proposals are discussed, artists must support the provisions that bring universal affordable health care to the state of California, while also improving those proposals that fall short of the real needs of our community.
Contents:
Why This Site
Most working artists have no practical way of accessing quality health care that is also affordable. As a group, we tend toward non-traditional patterns of employment: We are largely self-employed, working as independent contractors. We may also hold part-time jobs with smaller organizations that do not offer health insurance. We perform work independently for a variety of commercial and nonprofit entities, in a variety of positions, and we tend to move easily from job to job which leaves us with erratic coverage at best. For some performing artists, unions have been a way to get health insurance. But even among this group only a small percentage are eligible for their unions' health benefits; most performing artists face the same barriers to quality, affordable care that visual and conceptual artists experience. Read More.
Who's Involved
The ArtistsUnitedForHealthcare.org website was created through the collective efforts of key organizations and individuals who share a common belief that artists have a right to quality, affordable health care. Read More.
What's at Stake
Self-employed artists are no different than other Californians when it comes to finding, and affording, health insurance. Health insurance premiums can be incredibly high for individual purchasers, coverage may be inadequate, and individuals can be denied access to insurance for having any one of a number of pre-existing conditions. In the current wave of legislative debate of healthcare in the state of California, individual artists must unite and, with one voice, advocate for provisions that will improve the health and well being of all Californians. Read More.
Background: The Facts on Health Care
The cost of health care in the United States has been rising unabatedly for the last several decades. Many experts and policy makers believe that the current system of care and insurance coverage is financially unsustainable and on a course for eventual collapse. This year, health care reform is high on California's political agenda. Read More.