Non-profit group raising money for Peter Case

As the Obama administration tries to figure out what the hell to do with American health care, the current system continues to leave patients behind.

One of those unfortunate souls is Peter Case, the Grammy-nominated songwriter behind power pop legends The Nerves and The Plimsouls. Case, 54, underwent emergency open-heart surgery in January, but has no health insurance coverage.

So to help him pay the daunting medical bills, a group of friends and supporters have come together as Hidden Love, a non-profit relief fund that is currently accepting donations on Case's behalf. Case is expected to make a full recovery, but that doesn't make his financial situation any less dire.

"The Idea behind Hidden Love is that acts of Love - big or small - are often Hidden," the group's website says. "We - and you - are doing this because we care for Peter and for his work and feel deeply that, at the end of the day, we need to take care of each other."

Click here to make a donation. A benefit concert for Case is also in the works, but no details are yet available. We'll keep you posted once a venue and participating acts emerge.

Related links:
PeterCase.com
1000 Words: Peter Case
News: The Nerves compilation to see the light of day Nov. 25

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5 Comments

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By Charlie Gaylord on March 16, 2009

I am a big PC fan but why doesn't he have health insurance?

By Austin L. Ray on March 16, 2009

You'd probably be surprised if you found out how many musicians don't have it, Charlie. Or people in general, for that matter.

By Fake Name on March 16, 2009

I'm self employed and I don't make a lot of money and I buy my own insurance. You can buy high deductible for a reasonable price. I'll bet Peter Case makes more money than I do. There is no reason in the world that a musician can't buy their own insurance.

By Andy Whitman on March 17, 2009

There are probably many reasons why most musicians don't have health insurance, but I'll bet the major one is that when you have band members splitting up the proceeds, and it takes 20 gallons of gas to make it to the next gig, and fifty people show up, there just isn't that $1,500 per month left over. And you'd better not have any preexisting conditions. It's a myth that most touring musicians make much, if any, money.

My health insurance, by the way, is currently $1,800 per month. Yes, I have a family. Yes, I have a couple preexisting conditions. But there you go.

In any event, a fine singer/songwriter could use our help. I'm game. How about you?

By Fake Name on March 18, 2009

Likewise, it's a myth that all touring musicians are too poor for health insurance. I talked with Ellis Paul's manager last month and he said Ellis makes 200K, easy. Peter Case tours solo and draws pretty well I would guess. He puts out CDs. he appears at workshops and festivals. He's middle class, like the rest of us.

It's one thing if you're 25 years old, but if you're 54 you are going to need insurance. Period.

BTW, I pay for my own high deductible insurance and it's $623 per month, for a family of four.