From January 2026 to July 2026, we surveyed comics working in Chicago to better understand how they access health insurance. 110 comics from across the city participated. We found that nearly half of them are either already uninsured or are at risk of losing insurance as they get priced out of an ACA plan or are unable to fulfill onerous paperwork requirements to continue to qualify for Medicaid.

We further learned how the lack of access to affordable health insurance and care has affected their comedy careers. From not being able to tour because of fear of getting hurt while away, to not being able to perform because they need to take on extra shifts at work to afford health insurance, to staying in an unfulfilling full-time job rather than pursuing their comedy career, access, or lack of access, to health insurance has a huge impact on comedians in Chicago.

Comics are not alone. Health insurance is getting harder to access, and people who do not get insurance through their employers are getting hit the hardest.

Read our report to learn more about how comedians in Chicago are accessing health insurance.