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How The Actors Fund Helped Me Get Free Health Insurance

As an actor, I fight cynicism on a regular basis. So when my eligibility for health insurance through SAG was coming to an end in June, I was convinced there was nothing I could do to keep that insurance unless I forked over $673 a month for the COBRA payment. This was not an option for me. Nearing the deadline, I happened to look on the Actors Fund website and saw they had a health insurance seminar that began an hour later. I ate a quick lunch and hurried over there. Jim Brown sat with me and another young woman at a long table for an hour, gave us hand-outs loaded with information, and answered our questions. When I shared my particular situation, he informed me that I qualified for a federal COBRA subsidy which would cover 65% of my costs for 9 months. Then he said I also qualified for the New York State Continuation Assistance Program which would pay 50% of my costs for 12 months. I had no idea! The following day, I visited the NYC SAG Pension and Health office. Daphne Lee went over each form with me and helped me put my application packets together. A few weeks later, I was approved for both subsidies, which means I can keep my SAG insurance for a year and pay next to nothing. Wow! We actors often feel like we’re in an uphill battle with anything to do with the business. It is always a genuine surprise to find people and organizations that are there to help us. So until Congress gets its act together and legislates a public option, I am grateful that my unions and the Actors Fund are there to help.

-Liz Morton

Artist Trust, Supporting Washington State's Artists Since 1987

As the fall foliage emerges from the waning summer days, I’m reminded that this fall marks my fourth year here at the helm of Artist Trust, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting Washington State artists working in all creative disciplines. Founded in 1987 by a group of arts patrons and artists who were concerned about the lack of support for individual artists, over the years I’ve witnessed first-hand the magical alchemy between the ingenuity of artists and the generosity of our donors to sustain Artist Trust, which in turn has enabled a fertile ground for artists’ creativity to flourish across our state. For the past two decades we have been able to support thousands of artists with the time and resources necessary to thrive. Without artists—musicians, writers, performers, painters, sculptures, filmmakers, writers—not a single arts and culture organization could fulfill their mission. Artist Trust remains steadfast in its core belief that artists are essential to human progress.

One of our key programs areas is providing professional development resources to artists, including information about accessing affordable health care. We have been leading the charge via the Washington Artists’ Health Insurance Project. This year we forged a partnership with Country Doctor Community Clinic in Seattle to offer access to their full spectrum of preventive and primary care services. In addition to directing artists to health care appointments, WAHIP offers limited subsidy support for qualifying uninsured artists. This pilot program is being tested and evaluated through 2009 with possibilities for continuation and expansion.

Time and again, the artists we have supported through our grant programs and professional development resources have proven themselves to be risk-taking “artrepeneurs,” calling into sharp relief the duty of art to inspire thought, reflection and action in the face of our society’s challenges. For me, it’s a real honor to work hand-in-hand with artists on a daily basis.

-Fidelma McGinn, Executive Director, Artist Trust