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Musicians need health care coverage, too
When politicians start talking about health care insurance, they typically bring up children who have none or seniors who have to choose between buying prescriptions and paying for another essential such as food or utilities.
It’s hard to think of a case more critical than those, but the lack of health insurance affects people you might not think about in the same vein. Musicians, for instance.
I had never heard of Drew Glackin until a couple of weeks ago, but by all accounts, he was a talented musician for a band called The Silos. He also recorded or toured with some artists I have heard of — Susan Tedeschi and The Hold Steady, to name a couple.
Glackin died in January in New York of a thyroid condition that went undetected, in part, at least, because he had no health insurance. The medical treatment he received in his final days put a pretty big financial burden on his family for the same reason. Glackin was only 40 — way too young to die.
Glackin’s case puts another spotlight on the need for better, more affordable, more universal health care coverage in the United States. But it calls into attention something else, too.
Glackin DID have health care insurance options, even as a self-employed musician. A Web site called HINT — Health Insurance Navigation Tool — can help musicians find answers and advice about health care insurance. The site does not sell insurance. It’s there as a service from the Future of Music Coalition.
If you’re a musician or if you know one, check out the site. Health care insurance is much more affordable for those of us fortunate enough to have employer-provided benefits. But even expensive insurance is preferable to the situation Glackin’s family now faces.
In the meantime, if you’d like to help Glackin’s family, a two-day benefit will be held, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at The Pour House Music Hall — 224 S. Blount St., Raleigh. At 2:30 p.m. Sunday, a similar concert will be held at Sadlack’s Heroes at 2216 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Sunday’s show is free.
You can also donate through PayPal at theandrewglackinmemorialfund@yahoo.com. For more information about Drew, check out http://www.drewglackin.com and www.myspace.com/drewglackin.
The Silos, Tres Chicas, Patty Hurst Shifter, Chip Robinson and at least 10 other musicans and bands will pay tribute to Glackin during the concerts. It’s good music for a sobering cause. One that’s worth thinking about.
Comments
By Bryan Cody
April 29, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Thank you for sharing this helpful information. I plan to go to the concerts to learn more about healthcare options and listen to some good music.