Alliance Health Insurance

Austin enjoys the self-promotion, but well-deserved reputation as live music capital of the world. In recent years, the city decided to put his money where his mouth is to ensure that it stays that way. One of the most innovative and socially progressive ways it is done by providing an insurance program for working musicians across Ha'am, or Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

This is a unique concept. Besides New Orleans, Austin is the only city in the United States to provide such comprehensive health care to its local musicians.

"This city loves those who make music for us all," according to Betty Dunkerley, Austin Mayor Pro Tem and Board Ha'am. "What's better than the health of the Alliance for Austin Musicians is there to show our appreciation? Ha'am makes members' lives better."

Ha'am was created in 2005 following a partnership between local hospitals and the SIMS foundation with support from the city and various Austin businesses. They recognized the need for enormous that exist in the community of musicians in the city for affordable health care. More than 8,000 working musicians live in Austin and most of them are not insured. Rather than wait for the federal government or state to come up with a plan to help millions of Americans have no health insurance, this community of musicians and their supporters have decided to help themselves provide for themselves.

Funding for the organization is provided by companies and private donations and various grants. The day when all the benefits Ha'am October mobilizes musicians, local businesses and city officials to raise funds for the organization. In 2006, they raised over $ 107,000 and over 180,000 in 2007. Other events throughout the year, as part of Austin Music lessor Nancy Coplin BIG SIX-O birthday recently, to donate their products and Ha'am. Of course, interested supporters may also donate money at any time through the Ha'am.

Ha'am's 2007 annual report reveals nearly 4,900 medical, dental and mental health visits which earned a rating of 94 percent approval of members musicians. The success of a unique collaboration of its kind in the Seton Family of Hospitals (clinic visits, prescriptions, hospital services and specialist referrals), St. David's Community Health Foundation Leadership (dental visits) and SIMS Foundation (counseling, psychiatric sessions and the dependence of recovery).

Membership in 2007 grew to 929, of whom 65 percent were aged 40 and younger, with 67 percent earning less than $ 15,000 per year. To benefit from the program, members must live in Travis County and be able to prove that they earn money by playing music. For many services, members must pay a small share; other services are provided free.

The foundation was named after Austin musician Sims Sims Ellison who has lost a long battle against depression and committed suicide in 1995. His death shocked the Austin and a group of parents and friends decided to create the SIMS Foundation to provide counseling to low-cost, psychiatric and recovery service dependency musicians in need. The Foundation has provided more than 2,300 of these sessions in 2007.

In addition, through Ha'am, over 573 members have visited more than 1,300 clinic that same year and has received services from more than 500 hospitals of various kinds as well. Many members have also benefited from free dental services provided by the organization.

Almost all members are very positive about the work done Ha'am and the services it provides. Guy Forsyth is an Austin musician who has built a solid reputation across Texas.

"It makes me really happy for the young musicians who come and for parents who may have a child who is very t.