Health Insurance for current "performers"

After reading P Healy's NYT article on Daniel Curry and "Spider-Man"(10/22/13) I have a timely question? First, by no means is this a criticism of Daniel himself or the producers. I wish Daniel only the best and hope his health and (from what seems to be a fairly serious medical situation stemming from the accident onstage) subsequent surgeries, etc., are positive and the outcome successful. But why on earth does it take (at least, the first) benefit concert(s) to help him pay for his medical coverage? The chain of questions is only partial here but shouldn't his personal health coverage, insurance from the show itself, Workers Comp Accidental coverage, I mean the list goes on? Also, where is his support from the union for AGMA and the other unions covering productions on the Broadway stages? I'm really not criticizing, but just questioning, if someone in Mr. Curry's situation has an accident onstage and needs fundraising benefits to pay for his medical needs, what happens?

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Updated On: 10/26/13 at 11:29 AM

Firstly- The performers in Spiderman are working on an Equity Contract, not AGMA.
In regards to the benefit-Put yourself in his situation and think about it-He's a dancer in his 20's who had parts of his foot or leg amputated. His current and future earning potential has completely gone away. He's trained his entire life to work at the top of his field and, at 23 had already made his Broadway debut, so he is no doubt, very very talented. Short of getting killed onstage, this is about as bad as it can get for any performer. I think a group of friends and contemporaries throwing him a benefit concert to throw some money his way is not anything to be begrudged.

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Thanks for the replies everyone; as I can see from your responses it helps me understand more. The news being released is certainly being limited. I myself did not know how much more serious what happened was until I saw some of your replies today. That being said, Daniel certainly needs the kind of assistance being mentioned (and much, much more...) I just hope the producers, Bono, whoever...does the right thing and much much, more...Is there any kind of on line account being set up like a "pay it forward"? Thanks

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Insurance often doesn't cover everything, anyway. I had insurance when I had cancer I still had to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Also, I don't understand why the OP is suggesting performers is a euphemism.

Updated On: 10/26/13 at 04:21 PM

That is terrible that an actor has to have a benefit to cover his medical bills and everyday living expenses and then his health insurance may run out, when his treatment isn't even finished.

We had an actor here in the UK, who lost his sight in one eye, when a gun malfunctioned, he got a reported payout in the region of $350k, plus he didn't have to worry about his health bills being covered, as this is covered on the National Health Service.