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Olivia Schreiner
Olivia describes art as something she just has to do, but like Degas, she does not make art purely for self-gratification. Her work is about looking closely at the wold around her and bringing that insight and vision to the viewer. Olivia points out that since artists are looking with a more critical eye, they are able to call our attention to things that we might otherwise miss. This service is essential to the continued health and vitality of any community. But the current design of our health care system means that artists pursue their calling at their own risk.
Olivia lost her health insurance after graduating with an MFA from Northwestern University. Since graduating, Olivia has picked up two part-time jobs to pay the bills: she teaches at a community art center and does some contract work for a small business. Olivia loves her flexible schedule since it provides her with plenty of time to devote to her work. She does not mind living on a shoestring budget — it’s how she’s always done things. The only thing she really needs that she can’t afford is health insurance. So far she has been lucky — she has had no medical emergencies and has not even needed to visit a community health center for a minor ailment. But the awareness that she is taking a huge gamble with her health and her finances is a source of stress for Olivia.
An employer-based health care system leaves people like Olivia out. “I am still adding to society,” she asserts, “but it is impossible to do it without risking going bankrupt.” Olivia makes the conscious choice to forgo the finer things in life for the sake of her work — but how long will she be able to continue when health care is a necessity with a luxury price-tag?
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