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New Orleans Clinic Gives Jazz Musicians Free Care

Volunteer doctors eagerly treat musical idols

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 30, 2009 5:48 PM CDT

(Newser) – One New Orleans couple is so passionate about jazz that they give musicians free or low-cost health care, NBC News reports. The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, founded 11 years ago, tries “to prevent death by lifestyle" for low-paid musicians who can’t afford treatment, says one founder. "We do anything we can to make a wellness plan for every single musician who comes through our doors."

The clinic is powered by a government grant, private donations, and a team of volunteer doctors—many of whom are unabashed jazz addicts. Musicians “walk in and I say, 'I was just listening to your CD this morning,’” one says. "And they love it, they love a little bit of gush." But their grant is running out, and donations are down—so the clinic is seeking public and private dollars. "And we're talking large dollars, because as you know health care is very expensive," another founder says.

Buckwheat Zydeco performs before a large crowd at the at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans,  Saturday, May 2, 2009.
Buckwheat Zydeco performs before a large crowd at the at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Saturday, May 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
The Bluerunners perform during the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Racetrack in New Orleans, Friday, May 2, 2008.
The Bluerunners perform during the 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Racetrack in New Orleans, Friday, May 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Herbie Hancock plays the piano during a ceremony to announce the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance's move from Los Angeles to Loyola University in New Orleans Monday, April 2, 2007.
Herbie Hancock plays the piano during a ceremony to announce the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance's move from Los Angeles to Loyola University in New Orleans Monday, April 2, 2007.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
MarkFL
Aug 31, 2009 9:46 AM CDT
You need a bypass? Trade fours on Giant Steps and Rhythm changes! Do they hold auditions before treatment is given? My guess is that the tambourine player is left to die! Just kidding, sounds like a good program.
Bambi
Aug 31, 2009 2:33 AM CDT
Only problem with this business plan is who is the basis of exclusion. Do you have to be a 'good' jazz musician to get care? Do you have to have been recorded? I like the compassion behind it, but ultimately, it's segregationist. I think Obama is on the right track. These socialistic subsets, of which like it or not, your corporate health plan is an example, should be a thing of the past when heath care is universalized. Then these cats in New Orleans won't have to demonstrate their boogie woogie chops at the waiting room piano to earn the right to get care.
youngblood
Aug 30, 2009 10:58 AM CDT
This is what America must be, people looking out for each other and not people who have more money then god, for example, Jeffrey Katzenberg closing down Actors nursery homes because it's too expensive too maintain!! Hey katzenberg take a lesson out of this playbook!!

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