The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) partners with a public health agency to subsidize insurance premiums for local artists, serving as a potential model for other cities.
Key facts
- •HAAM membership has grown to more than 3,300 people, with over 90% of members now insured.
- •The program is funded by a roughly $4 million budget supported by Central Health.
- •Texas had the highest uninsured rate in the U.S. at 19% for those age 64 and under as of 2024.
- •For the 2026 plan year, insurance premiums increased by an average of 58%.
- •Good Work Austin launched a pilot program in 2025 to help restaurant workers enroll in health plans.
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) provides financial assistance to help Austin-based musicians pay for health insurance premiums through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. By partnering with Central Health, a public agency in Travis County, the nonprofit helps cover costs for members who might otherwise struggle to afford coverage. This initiative has become a reliable support system for the city's musician community, helping to maintain access to healthcare despite rising insurance rates.
By the numbers
Funding and Program Structure
HAAM operates a roughly $4 million program funded in part through partnerships with Central Health. To qualify for premium assistance, members must enroll in silver-level plans offered by Sendero Health Plans. For members with incomes between one and two times the federal poverty level, Central Health covers the remaining premium balance after federal tax credits. Those above this income range receive a 50% subsidy from HAAM.
Addressing Rising Costs and Coverage Gaps
In 2026, premium costs increased significantly due to rising medical expenses and the expiration of pandemic-era federal tax credits. While HAAM helped buffer existing members from these hikes, the organization had to turn away hundreds of qualified applicants due to funding limitations. Additionally, the program faces challenges regarding the state's poorest residents, as Texas has not expanded Medicaid, leaving those below the federal poverty level without access to marketplace subsidies.
Expansion and Future Outlook
The HAAM model is being observed by other sectors, including a pilot program launched in 2025 by the nonprofit Good Work Austin to assist local restaurant workers. Similar organizations in cities like Seattle, New Orleans, and Nashville also provide healthcare support to musicians, though HAAM’s direct premium assistance remains a distinct approach. Since the program began, HAAM’s membership has grown by 77% to over 3,300 people.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NPR Health.
