At a Glance
- SIMS Foundation launches Dick Chalmers Music Venue program to give mental-health and recovery support to Austin venue workers.
- Program starts after ACA subsidies end, which could cause 1.45 million Texans to lose coverage.
- Study shows subsidies lowered premiums for 95% of Texans with ACA coverage.
Why it matters: Workers in Austin’s live-music scene often lack insurance; the new program provides needed health resources amid shifting healthcare policy.
After New Year’s Day, Austin’s downtown music venues are set to reopen, but many staff members face a new health-care challenge. The SIMS Foundation’s Dick Chalmers Music Venue program offers mental-health and substance-use recovery services to venue employees as state-wide ACA subsidies are eliminated.
Program Details and Naming
Named after late Red River Cultural District ambassador Dick Chalmers, the initiative will open mental-health care and substance-use recovery services to venue employees across the city. Conrado Markel, the foundation’s director of operations, explained that the program will provide resources that were previously unavailable to many workers who often lack insurance.
Conrado Markel stated:
> “Music venues, the people that work there oftentimes don’t have health insurance, or it’s very difficult for them to get health insurance… They’re working long hours… we want to make sure that they have the possibility to get mental health or recovery resources just like everybody else does.”
- Mental-health care support
- Substance-use recovery services
- Targeted at venue employees
- Funded by SIMS Foundation
Health-Care Landscape and Impact
The program comes as ACA marketplace subsidies ended Thursday, removing financial help for millions of Texans. A Texas A&M University study found that the loss could cause up to 1.45 million Texans to lose coverage this year, while the study also showed that subsidies lowered monthly premiums for 95% of Texans with ACA coverage.
Brian Sasser stated:
> “The study also warns of broader effects to the state… 63% of Texans say they have trouble affording health care… The worry is that people won’t be able to afford care… Health insurance is not the one magic pill that makes everybody healthy, but it sure is a piece of the puzzle.”
- ACA subsidies ended, causing potential loss of coverage for 1.45 million Texans
- 95% of Texans with ACA coverage had lower premiums thanks to subsidies
- 63% of Texans report trouble affording health care
How to Get Help and Support
Venue employees can access the program’s resources through the SIMS Foundation’s website, which also provides donation options. Markel noted that naming the program after Dick Chalmers honors his role in shaping the initiative and keeps his legacy alive in Austin’s music community.
Key Takeaways
- SIMS Foundation’s new program offers mental-health and recovery support to venue workers amid ACA subsidy cuts.
- 1.45 million Texans risk losing coverage after subsidies end.
- The initiative honors Dick Chalmers, a key figure in Austin’s music scene.
With the Live Music Capital of the World reopening, workers now have a new safety net to help them focus on their health and the music that defines Austin.
