Chappell Roan, the Grammy-winning artist, recently shared her experience as one of the 25 million uninsured Americans, revealing the challenges artists face in securing health coverage. Roan, born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, was once without a job or health insurance after being dropped by her record label in 2020, a time when millions lost coverage amid rising unemployment during the pandemic.
In her Grammy acceptance speech on February 2, Roan made a powerful statement about the music industry. “I told myself that if I ever won a Grammy, I would demand that labels provide artists with a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists,” she said. She emphasized that record labels must prioritize artists’ well-being and offer benefits such as health insurance, something she found lacking during her career’s low points.
Roan’s story reflects a broader issue in the music industry. When she was dropped by her label in 2020, she faced a significant gap in employment, and like many, struggled to find a job in the pandemic’s economic downturn. This left her without affordable health insurance, a reality many self-employed individuals, including musicians, face.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helped many uninsured Americans during the pandemic by expanding coverage options and making insurance more affordable. For self-employed individuals, like musicians, the ACA offers subsidized plans and protections for pre-existing conditions. However, volatile incomes can complicate the process. According to Larry Levitt from the Kaiser Family Foundation, artists may face unpredictable premiums if their income fluctuates. This can leave them with no viable options if their earnings are inconsistent.
Carolyn McClanahan, a financial planner, said that “starving artists” often struggle to get health insurance due to unstable incomes, especially when they lack employer-provided plans or union support.
The call for health care and better wages for artists sparked debate in the music industry. Jeff Rabhan, former chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, responded in a column for The Hollywood Reporter, arguing that while Roan’s plea was noble, it was also misinformed. He questioned whether record labels should be responsible for artists’ health care, suggesting that unions should play a role in addressing these issues instead.
McClanahan, however, points out that the self-employed nature of most artists in the industry makes it difficult for them to navigate health insurance. “Sadly, many self-employed people don’t understand the Affordable Care Act and how to obtain insurance on their own,” she said.
Despite improvements in coverage through the ACA, there are still about 25 million uninsured Americans, with many artists among them. McClanahan emphasized that artists, like Roan, are essentially running their own businesses and need better tools to access health care.
Roan, in response to Rabhan’s criticism, took to Instagram to defend her stance, sharing that she had donated $25,000 to support “struggling dropped artists.”
Roan’s advocacy highlights the gap in health care coverage for artists, urging the industry to take action to better support its talent.
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