Musicians raise concerns over Obamacare repeal

President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (‘Obamacare’), which introduced a limited form of universal healthcare to the US, have been greeted with concern by a musicians’ advocacy group, which says millions of “newly insured musicians [could] lose their coverage” under Trump.

The Future of Music Coalition (FoMC)’s national organising director, Kevin Erickson, found in 2013 that 53% of musicians lacked private health insurance – close to three times the rate of the general population.

Erickson says: “The Affordable Care Act (ACA), […] despite its imperfections, effectively extended health insurance to millions of Americans, focusing on low-income self-employed individuals and their families, a population that includes countless musicians.

“Will countless newly insured musicians lose their coverage?”

“Provisions forbidding pre-existing conditions from being a factor in eligibility also expanded the pool of the insured.

“Since the ACA’s passage, the Republican-controlled congress has held a seemingly endless series of votes to repeal it. Now, without Obama’s veto standing in the way, its future is unclear. Will countless newly insured musicians lose their coverage?”

At least 20 US musicians and celebrities said they would leave the country should Trump be elected president.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Read More Like This

News|27 Nov 2023

Boardmasters bids to raise capacity to 65k by 2025

"We have exciting and ambitious plans for Boardmasters and under the proposal, we would be able to take the festival to the next level"

News|31 Oct 2023

Michael Rapino responds to all-in pricing concerns

US Senator Amy Klobuchar requested an update from the Live Nation chief on the firm's price transparency efforts

News|05 Mar 2024

Concerns over Rammstein & AC/DC dates played down

Promoters have moved to dismiss rumours that the bands' forthcoming shows in Dresden will need to be relocated

News|08 Apr 2024

Vampire Weekend to launch tour with ‘rare’ eclipse show

The indie rock band will play a unique outdoor show during the total solar eclipse passing through North America today