The Actors’ Fund of America recently unveiled its newly-expanded Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC) at www.actorsfund.org. The site is one of the largest sources of information about health insurance for artists available on the internet. Members who do not qualify for Plan A or Plan B will be able to use this resource to investigate their options.

Artists are twice as likely to be uninsured as the general population; almost one in every three artists is uninsured.

“Securing quality health insurance is a critical issue that deeply affects the lives of our members, their families, and artists of all disciplines everywhere, often relegating them to inferior health care and burdening them with ruinous debt,” said Joseph Benincasa, the fund’s executive director. Through AHIRC, “we are reaching out to the arts community and informing them of all their health insurance options.”

The expanded web site provides faster access and easier searching; information on local health care options for the uninsured and under-insured; links to all government-subsidized programs; artist groups offering insurance plans; entertainment industry unions and resources; disease-specific assistance; sources of emergency financial aid for medical and hospital bills, and news about grassroots and legislative efforts to expand access to health care.

The Actors’ Fund of America is a national human service organization that provides for the welfare of entertainment professionals. Founded in 1882, it serves professionals in film, television, radio, music, opera, dance and theatre, assisting performers as well as creative professionals, technical and crafts professionals and support staff. The Fund is the sponsor of 802’s Musicians’ Assistance Program.

To utilize the Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center, visit www.actorsfund.org. For more information, call the Actors’ Fund at (212) 221-7300.