Although musician Guy Forsyth has been lucky, and healthy, throughout his career, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians has come in handy.
"I have gotten dental care through the HAAM system, which is great because I haven't seen a dentist in about six years," Forsyth said.
Guy is one of hundreds of local musicians benefiting from HAAM, which provides medical coverage for more than 400 low-income and uninsured working musicians. The Alliance is now working in its second year. City leaders are asking the entire community to help out on Oct. 3.
"That's the day businesses across the city, big or small, will donate at least 5 percent of their proceeds to the Health Alliance for Austin's Musicians," Austin Mayor Will Wynn said.
Waterloo Records and Video is one of the first companies to sign up for the HAAM benefit. While they do have a vested interest in the musicians, organizers say everyone in the city of Austin stands to gain from the health of the artists.
"The economic impact of those musicians each year is about $1 billion. The local tax revenue is measured in at about $25 million," Wynn said.
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Musician insurance
The city will host a benefit for an insurance program for musicians.
 
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Along with helping current musicians out, artists like Forsyth say the support makes a career in music seem a little more realistic for future generations.
"It makes me really happy for younger musicians who are coming up and for parents who may have a child whose very talented and it's scary to think of them becoming an artist. Because we see all these examples around us of people, who aren't part of a corporate structure are left behind in terms of health care and public support," Forsyth said.
Thanks to the city's and Health Alliance's efforts, musicians say they don't feel left behind, but they're confident they can remain healthy and keep on playing.
