WAHIP - Washington Artists Health Insurance Project 

 

Progress Update, June 2005
by: Claudia Bach, AdvisArts Consulting

WAHIP Survey Progress

An extensive survey was developed with input from insurance and health policy experts and artists to provide essential data on the Washington State artist population and their health care and insurance access and needs. Over 30,000 names were collected from over 40 arts organizations around the state. Working with the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) at Washington State University, 6,000 names were randomly selected from this master list to provide a statistically viable sample. Over 1400 individuals working as full and part-time artists and arts workers in every discipline and from every corner of the state responded to the survey either online or by mail. This response presents a strong basis for accurate information in shaping WAHIP health coverage strategies. A preliminary report will be available in July 2005 for use at the WAHIP Forum, but there is a wealth of data that can be mined to create better understanding of artists in Washington State. The survey instrument and methodology are suitable for replication in other states or communities.

WAHIP Forum
The WAHIP Forum will bring together innovative health policy makers, insurance representatives, health care providers and arts service representatives from Washington State and around the country in July. This intensive day of presentations and working sessions is centered on developing models and strategies that will lead to increased access to health coverage for artists in Washington State. Definition of new models, or renewed examination of existing models, will provide the basis for the implementation of a pilot project in Washington and as a potential catalyst for projects in other states or communities. The day will also explore how the Washington artist population can serve as the basis for inventive investigation of coverage approaches for other individuals or occupational groups that are not served by traditional employer-related systems of insurance. Participation at this forum is by invitation.

Model development and implementation in Washington State
A model or strategy for expanding access to health coverage for artists in Washington State will be defined based on the WAHIP Survey and the Forum. The goal is to develop and implement an opportunity or opportunities that addresses access, affordability and sustainability for artists in the state within 24 to 36 months. The timeframe and organizational structure will depend on careful evaluation of the most promising opportunity that can be sustained and expanded over time. Additionally, it is expected that WAHIP will identify legislative or other actions that will be beneficial to expanding health care coverage for artists in Washington State. Alliances with other occupational groups or partners will also be evaluated.

Sharing and applying WAHIP research process and models beyond Washington
Each aspect of WAHIP has been designed with attention to future application of this work in other states. The report completed in April 2005, Artists and Health Insurance: Existing Data and Implications for the Washington Artists Health Insurance Project (PDF* 614KB) includes analysis of national data and research from diverse sources including the US Census and various surveys around the country. The WAHIP Survey has been designed to provide a model methodology and survey instrument for capturing information on artist populations. A Strategies Matrix developed as part of WAHIP details health insurance and health care strategies currently in use or under consideration around the country. A data base of programs and projects noted in this matrix is underway. The models and strategies from the WAHIP Forum will provide potential for implementation in different communities. All of these efforts are intended to assist in expanding health coverage opportunities elsewhere and with new partners.

Towards a national agenda with artists in mind
WAHIP provides new awareness of the impact of national legislation and regulations on artists’ access to health coverage. Artists are a broad and diverse occupational group with characteristics that link them to other independent or non-employer covered workers. What emerges from this initiative is a clearer picture on the value of developing ongoing efforts to track, evaluate and advocate for legislation that enables artists to have adequate access to coverage.

Background about WAHIP

The Washington Artists Health Insurance Project (WAHIP) is an effort to develop new strategies to improve access to health insurance for artists. WAHIP is working to expand access to health insurance for artists working in all disciplines, from painters and poets to rock musicians and choreographers, and all individuals who are dedicated to a profession in the arts. The work of WAHIP will provide leadership in developing models relevant to artists in other regions and for other populations with similar characteristics.

WAHIP is a partnership project between Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) and Artist Trust and is supported by the Allen Foundation for the Arts, Ford Foundation, and Nathan Cummings Foundation. LINC (www.lincnet.net) is a ten-year national campaign to improve conditions for artists in all disciplines, so that artists can more readily do their creative work and contribute to community life. The National Artists Insurance Initiative, LINC’s national companion project to WAHIP, has identified innovative programs around the country and has developed other tools and connections toward enhancing access to health and other types of insurance. Artist Trust has been providing information and direct grant support to Washington State artists for over 18 years. Artist Trust serves as a national model for support of individual artists. Over 40 arts and cultural organizations in Washington State and numerous health policy and insurance experts are working with WAHIP, and many more support its efforts.

WAHIP in 2004-2005

WAHIP has undertaken a two-year process to explore options to expand access to health insurance for artists in Washington State. It is expected that the tools developed and the lessons learned will be used in other states, and that they will prove useful in serving other populations or occupational sectors that share similar employment characteristics with artists.

During this two year period WAHIP’s work includes:

  • A WAHIP Advisory Group of experts from health policy, workers’ benefits, insurance and the arts that currently guides WAHIP as a cross sector effort.

  • A report, Artists and Health Insurance: Existing Data and Implications for the Washington Artists Health Insurance Project, analyzes and synthesizes available Washington State data on the state’s artist population and relates it to national data and research.

  • A WAHIP Survey of the Washington State artist population and their health care and insurance access and needs was conducted in spring 2005 with preliminary results expected in July 2005. The survey, suitable for replication, was developed by WAHIP with the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) at Washington State University who have overseen the administration and analysis.

  • A WAHIP Forum during summer 2005 will bring together Washington State and national experts and innovators in health policy, health insurance and services for artists. This forum will share information gathered through WAHIP research and use it as the basis for working sessions to develop models.

  • Based on the WAHIP research and Forum, a preliminary plan for a program or service that will increase health insurance access for artists in Washington State will be drafted by the end of 2005. This plan will identify possible partners and financing mechanisms and define next steps.

Please see WAHIP Progress Update for an overview of trends shaping health insurance and how artists fit into and may provide new opportunities to respond to these trends due to their work patterns that often place them outside traditional employer-based health coverage.

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