Expanding Health Care Coverage

Project Title

Independent Workers Employment Benefits System

Grant Amount

$500,000

Priority Area

Expanding Health Care Coverage

Date Awarded

July 19, 2007

Region

NYC

Status

Closed

Website

http://www.freelancersunion.org/

SEE GRANT OUTCOMES

These workers do not receive the work benefits customarily offered by employers, including health insurance.

Most earn too much to qualify for public programs, but cannot afford the expensive premiums charged in individually purchased plans. With NYHealth’s support, Freelancers Union launched the Freelancers Insurance Company to make affordable health insurance available to New York City’s independent workers and also created a discount network with mental health providers, Freelancers Union Health Partners, in New York City. This initiative has shown that with collaboration, it’s possible for a nonprofit organization to launch an insurance company.