By Mary Ann Roser

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

AUSTIN MUSICIANS — Austin musicians — many of whom are uninsured and don't get even basic health care — applauded an initiative Tuesday designed to keep them healthy on the stage and take care of them when they are sick.

Austin musical legend Ray Benson announced today that the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians will provide low-cost care to musicians in three major ways: primary care through the Seton Healthcare Network clinics, dental care through mobile vans provided by the St. David's Foundation and mental health services through the SIMS Foundation.

Benson said musicians are "facing a health care crisis as much of the nation is" and will be helped a great deal by the alliance.

The music industry is such a huge part of Austin's economy and culture, Mayor Will Wynn and other speakers said, that it is essential to keep musicians healthy so the music scene continues to thrive. The industry employs more than 11,000 people, generates $11 million in tax revenue and injects $600 million into the local economy, Wynn said.

Most musicians are self-employed and can't afford health insurance, said Benson, who serves on the the St. David's Foundation board. He and Robin Shivers, a music business consultant, manager and chairwoman of the new alliance board, put their heads together and worked with others to see what they could do to get health care to more musicians.

Shivers estimated that 80 percent of musicians lack health insurance.

Benson said when Seton and St. David's agreed to help "it was like the floodgates opened," enabling the alliance to be born. The only other U.S. city with a similar program is New Orleans, Shivers said.

Pat Hayes, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Seton network, said the program is a good marriage with Seton's mission to help the poor.

"I don't know of any group that is more worthy of our support, that has given more to this community, than our musicians," Hayes said.

Seth Walker, a 32-year-old Austin musician who lacks health insurance and played guitar at the news conference held at Whole Foods on Tuesday, called the program a big deal for people like him.

"We're kind of on our own," Walker said. "This is fantastic."

Man, is Austin really in Texas? It's like a different country compared to Houston, the land of robber baron capitalism, George W, and Jesus.


Anyway, I once met a doctor who worked in New Orleans as part of the "Art Docs" program which is alluded to in the article. One of his co-workers told me that he sometimes takes care of prostitutes in the Art Docs clinic because he considers them artists. Needless to say, that is awesome.