For Immediate Release
Feb. 28, 2006
HEALTH
ALLIANCE FOR AUSTIN MUSICIANS
MARKS 1 YEAR OF SERVICE & SUCCESS,
LOOKS AHEAD TO FUTURE
Austin,
Texas -- An alliance designed to provide health care to the
working musicians who make Austin "the Live Music Capital of
the World" has reached its first birthday, and its creators
are glowing with pride over accomplishments that have
exceeded their expectations.
In just
a year, the not-for-profit Health Alliance for Austin
Musicians has enrolled more than 450 members who have
availed themselves of the organization's health-care
opportunities designed for prevention and wellness,
including primary medical care, dental services and mental
health counseling. Without the Alliance, working musicians
who juggle day jobs and are uninsured might have a tough
time finding anything but emergency care for themselves and
their families.
Through
services provided by SETON Healthcare Network, St. David's
Community Health Foundation dental program and SIMS
Foundation, in just 12 months more than 70 percent of
members have undergone check-up exams at SETON clinics, 200
members have had their dental needs met and more than 300
counseling sessions have been conducted.
"This is the best program I have ever seen for musicians,"
said guitarist-keyboardist Mark Younger-Smith. "What a
blessing to have people who care so much about artists."
"I am a musician in Austin and have been for the past 16
years," said guitarist-vocalist Chris Hodge. "I have no
medical insurance and work odd jobs to get by. Being a
musician means no Īreal' jobs due to the rigorous and
informal schedules. Having no medical insurance is a bit
scary and worrisome. Thanks to Health Alliance for Austin
Musicians, those worries are put to rest. The fact that I
have somewhere to go when I am ill or need dental work makes
my life a whole lot brighter."
The city's musical artists have responded to the respect
paid to them by Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and its
programs, giving a 96 percent approval rating to the quality
of care and services rendered.
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians depended on in-kind
donations during its first year. At the end of 2005, the
organization invited members of the community to become its
founding sponsors. Community stewards answered in full force
with more than $100,000 donated to increase health services
for musicians.
The Health Alliance, anticipating a second year of high
enrollment and demand for health services, continues to
raise money to expand types of services and the number of
members it can serve. It welcomes support (in the form of a
tax-deductible donation of any size) from those Austin
residents who love what music does for the city (both
aesthetically as well as economically) and those newcomers
who moved to Austin because of the music in the city's air.
Health Alliance for Austin Musicians
P.O. Box 301496
Austin, TX 78703
512.322.5177
www.HealthAllianceForAustinMusicians.org
Contacts: Jill McGuckin,
McGuckin Entertainment PR, 512.217.9404; jill@mcguckingpr.com
Carolyn Schwarz, director of services, HAAM, 512.324.8976; cschwarz@healthallianceforaustinmusicians.org
Susan Terese, SETON planning and marketing, 512.324.8974;
skterese@seton.org
Emily Erickson, SIMS Foundation, 512.472.1008; simsdev@austin.rr.com
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