Texas Nonprofits Aid Musicians with Health Insurance Amid Rising Premiums
Nonprofit organizations in Texas, particularly the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and the Denton Music and Arts Collaborative, are actively assisting musicians with health insurance costs. HAAM, based in Austin, subsidizes monthly insurance premiums for local musicians who purchase plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. This initiative is funded through a partnership with Central Health, a public agency providing healthcare resources for low-income residents in Austin and Travis County. Many HAAM members pay $0 towards their monthly premiums. The Denton Music and Arts Collaborative, on the other hand, connects musicians with independent insurance agents and offers a monthly subsidy of $100. These efforts come as ACA premiums have significantly increased, with a 58% average rise in the 2026 plan year, partly due to the expiration of pandemic-era federal subsidies. HAAM's membership has grown by 77% to over 3,300 people since it began offering premium assistance, with more than...