I am one of the lucky ones: a full-time desk jockey/part-time writer with health insurance. I recently finished up some physical therapy sessions for my right arm; the bill says that for two sessions a week, the actual cost of therapy was $230. I paid $24. If I didn’t have my health insurance, I wouldn’t be able to afford physical therapy, let alone a visit to the doctor.
I know lots of artists without insurance, people who would’ve had to just live with the pain. Most of my friends are dancers, musicians, photographers, writers, and painters, many of whom have not seen a doctor in years because they just can’t afford it. Paying for food and shelter is more of a priority than seeing a doctor. These friends are part of the approximately 50 million people without health insurance in this country. There has to be a way to make a living and take care of your health in an affordable way.
Now it looks like at least something is being done. Organizers of a festival recently held in Kingston, N.Y.—the O+Festival of Art, Music + Wellness—brought together “about 40 doctors, dentists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and others [who] donated 232 hours of service, valued at more than $38,000, to the bands and artists who played or created sculptures or paintings.” (via Business Week)
The plan is to host similar festivals next year in other cities, Philadelphia, Masschusetts, and Berkeley (the woman who wants to bring the festival to Berkeley is a writer).
The festival is not a permanent cure to the insurance fiasco, but it’s a step in the right direction.
