True story: My late wife, Carol, and I were saved from medical bankruptcy, thanks to our Group Health Coverage through the Local 161-710, American Federation of  Musicians.  

Background: I had left my secure biomedical research-related career, to be the novice CEO of a very promising cancer immunotherapy startup. I recruited a talented Board of Directors, who conditioned their investments on putting in their own CEO, in my place. I agreed. I thought my million shares were in good hands.

Another company came along, with resources that complemented ours so perfectly that “I knew” our companies were destined to partner and prosper. Instead, after I left, all the parties initiated lawsuits, ultimately squandering much of the investors’ monies.

“Never trust people whose first instinct is to sue, or fight”.

We lost our insurance benefit.

We were at grave risk, until my wife, a harpist, and music therapist, and a member of the Local 161-710 American Federation of  Musicians, discovered the group/family coverage available through the Union. Her ability to purchase a family medical plan through AFM, saved us from medical bankruptcy.

Saved us.