The more time a musician dedicates to songwriting, performing, and related pursuits, the less likely that musician is to have health insurance.  That was the finding of the Future of Music Coalition, host of the DC Policy Day in Washington on Tuesday.  In fact, the group conducted a survey of 1,400 musicians, and found that 34 percent - twice the national average - lacked insurance of any kind. 

Of course, this is a picture that is going to change dramatically, thanks to health care reform measures.  But a panel of very knowledgeable health care professionals assembled at the Policy Day were unclear on exactly what that future picture will look like.  Certainly, more musicians will have insurance, but the nuts-and-bolts are largely undetermined at this juncture.  In fact, FMC Education Director and panel moderator Kristin Thomson joked that ‘it remains to be seen’ should have somehow been factored into the panel title.