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Thursday 29th July 2010 10:18 AM |
Musicians Union offers new health care program
18 January 2010
| MINNEAPOLIS - The Twin Cities Musicians Union Local 30-73 has launched an innovative trial program to provide health care vouchers and reimbursements to members who lack health insurance. |
Qualifying members in good standing may receive a voucher for a free one-time-per-year medical exam at the Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP) Community Clinic in south Minneapolis.
Members must complete a brief application and do not need to disclose any medical information to the union.
If the exam indicates the need for further testing or care, the union will reimburse up to $75 of the cost for care provided at the NIP Community Clinic.
“Unless our members are working at one of the orchestras, most of them don’t have any health care provided by the employer,” said Tom Baskerville, Local 30-73 secretary-treasurer.
“Particularly freelance artists and casual musicians, who serve as the mainstay of the live music industry, have no consistent single employer and therefore no access to common group health insurance plans,” said Brad Eggen, Local 30-73 president. “Without an affordable opportunity for even a routine physical exam, musicians suffer greater health risks and a reduced chance for good health maintenance.”
The voucher program is offered in cooperation with Springboard for the Arts while the $75 reimbursement is financed by Local 30-73.
Application forms may be downloaded at the union website.
Reprinted from the Minneapolis Labor Review.
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