Musicians in Austin Find Healthcare Support Through Local Nonprofit

Zack Morgan, a keyboardist in Austin, Texas, transitioned to full-time musicianship in 2015. Previously, he balanced a tech job by day and played funk music by night. Losing his corporate job felt like a push to pursue music full-time, prompting him to reconnect with health insurance. Austin, known as ‘the Live Music Capital of the World,’ can be expensive for its local artists, who contribute significantly to the city’s cultural and tourism economy.

Morgan supports himself by performing with various bands. For health insurance assistance, he turned to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), a nonprofit that covers insurance premiums for musicians using the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Partnering with Central Health, HAAM funds its $4 million program to help artists afford healthcare. Recently, when pandemic-related subsidies didn’t extend, many lost coverage. HAAM managed to mitigate these effects for its members.

A Growing Idea

Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the U.S., with 19% of those under 64 uninsured. Before the ACA marketplace launched, HAAM connected musicians with free or low-cost services, yet about 85% remained uninsured. Rachel Blair, HAAM’s chief strategy officer, noted the ACA’s permanence led HAAM to fully insure musicians.

Nonprofits in other U.S. music hubs, like Seattle and New Orleans, help musicians access healthcare, but HAAM went further by aiding in premium payments. Without assistance, an average HAAM member earning $30,000 annually couldn’t afford high healthcare costs.

HAAM membership rose by 77% since introducing premium help, now insuring over 90% of its 3,300 members. Collaborating with Central Health, HAAM ensures coverage through Sendero Health Plans, with subsidies based on income levels. Specifically, those earning between 100% to 200% of the federal poverty line receive substantial aid.

Denton and Beyond

In 2017, HAAM inspired a similar program in Denton, Texas. The Denton Music and Arts Collaborative connects musicians with agents to choose health plans, offering a $100 monthly subsidy, preserving the town’s unique music scene.

Each year, the HAAM Day Music Festival raises funds to assist musicians with healthcare costs, featuring performances throughout Austin, including places like grocery stores and the Texas Capitol.

Other Industries Take Note

Good Work Austin, a group for restaurant workers, launched a pilot in 2025 with Central Health, helping food workers afford Sendero plans. Kit Abney Spelce of Central Health notes the importance of trusted community connections when encouraging enrollment.

Navigating Rising Costs

The 2026 plan year brought costly increases, including a 58% rise in insurance premiums on average and Sendero’s 16% rate hike. Federal subsidies also dropped after pandemic-era credits expired. Despite heightening fundraising efforts, HAAM couldn’t meet all assistance requests, though it covered existing members, ensuring consistent support.

Addressing Gaps

Beyond those declined in 2026, HAAM’s program doesn’t cater to the poorest, aiming at low to middle-income earners. Texans earning below the federal poverty level lack coverage due to the state’s Medicaid non-expansion since the ACA. Without federal subsidies for this group, HAAM seeks alternative care models, despite their limitations compared to Medicaid expansion.