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How Republicans Lost Texas
Confirmed
In Short: Subsidies are helping Austin musicians afford healthcare.
Zack Morgan, a musician in Austin, Texas, found himself in a precarious situation after losing his corporate job in 2015.
"That’s part of being able to make this whole thing work," Morgan said, referring to the importance of securing health insurance.
Rachel Blair, chief strategy officer of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), noted, "When you think about the average HAAM member making about $30,000 a year, there’s no way that they would be able to spend a third of their income on healthcare."
HAAM’s president, Jennifer Kapinos, emphasized the cultural significance of the subsidies, saying, "The subsidies are a way of keeping Denton’s culture of jazz and ‘weird art rock’ alive."
Kit Abney Spelce, vice president of operations for Central Health, highlighted the importance of partnering with advocacy groups focused on specific workforces.
Blair added, "When the Affordable Care Act came out, and we knew it was here to stay, it really made sense for us to start getting our musicians fully insured."
What's confirmed
- Zack Morgan, a musician in Austin, Texas, found himself in a precarious situation after losing his corporate job in 2015.
- "That’s part of being able to make this whole thing work," Morgan said, referring to the importance of securing health insurance.
- Kit Abney Spelce, vice president of operations for Central Health, highlighted the importance of partnering with advocacy groups focused on specific workforces.
What's still developing
- “Step one in that was: Get health insurance again.” Austin bills itself as “the Live Music Capital of the World,” but it can be unaffordable for the artists who provide the city with its cultural cachet — and help drive its tourism revenue.
- But there’s not a lot to like with how Texas Tech is playing right now.
- "We're going to be OK. We'll get back up off the mat."