Is it possible that artists and musicians will become the next big special interest group in American health care reform? Not by a long shot, but it’s nice to know that there are some benevolent organizations out there that a) actually give a damn about the astronomical number of uninsured artists in this country and b) can do something to take the edge off of rising medical costs. Artist Access, a New York health care initiative based out of the Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in North Brooklyn, offers starving artists and undernourished arts support workers access to quality care on a sliding-fee scale, with doctor’s visits ranging from $15 to $60, and prescription medication, from $2 to $22.

But it gets even curious-er. For creatives who can’t even shell out a few dollars towards their next routine check-up, Artist’s Access allows participants to pay in kind, earning “40 credits worth of healthcare services” (according to the program’s brochure) for every hour of performance or artistic activity they contribute to the life of the hospital. That’s forty dollars towards medical care, and, if you add it all up, probably a lot more cost-effective than gigging in most New York bars. Or priceless, if you dig the community service element.

Call 877.244.5600 for more information.

To find out if similar opportunities exist in your area, check out Fractured Atlas, the people behind the nationwide Artists Affordable Healthcare initiative.