It’s clear that the cost of healthcare in the U.S. is a concern for a wide range of Americans, and that’s especially true for those who provide entertainment and beautiful art for the rest of us. At the Music Treatment Foundation, it’s our mission to provide free surgical and related care for the shoulder, elbow, and hand problems of under- and uninsured professional musicians. We are dedicated to helping musicians reclaim their talent, resume their passion, recover their livelihoods, and keep the music playing for everyone.
The rising cost of healthcare is concerning for everyone in the United States and is a major reason that MTF is absolutely essential for musicians.
Cost of Healthcare
The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is substantially higher than any other country, with a total of $3.5 trillion spent on healthcare in 2017. Americans are paying more for their doctor’s visits, their prescription drugs, and just about anything else you can think of. And on top of that, there were still approximately 27.5 million people uninsured in the U.S in 2018.
Due to the constant rise in the cost of healthcare in the U.S., more and more musicians are uninsured. A study held by the Future of Music Coalition showed that out of all of their participating musicians, 44% of them did not have health insurance. Taking into account the wildly high costs of healthcare without insurance, a single injury could easily end an artist’s career due to the exorbitant expenses associated with treatment and rehabilitation.
MTF’s Mission
At the Music Treatment Foundation, it is our mission to help musicians stay healthy and able to play for their community. We do so by providing free surgical and orthopedic-related care for musicians to help us keep the music playing. We couldn’t be more excited about providing this service to such deserving people, and we are eternally grateful to each and every person who has contributed to our cause.
The best part is, we’re not stopping here. We plan to extend our services across the globe and connect physicians with musicians in every country where music is played. Our mission also includes educating musicians on how best to protect themselves from injury, and spreading public awareness about the unique health issues faced by musicians through sharing new research data and outcomes. We believe that, through these methods, we can make a real difference in the lives of musicians and everyone who loves music.