NEW YORK - July 19, 2004 - Some of the most health-minded self-employed professionals in New York - many of who have been struggling for years to find an affordable health insurance option - now have a viable solution.

Working Today, the nonprofit group focused on the independent workforce, today announced that it is expanding the eligibility pool for its affordable HMO health insurance to include a wide range of alternative healthcare practitioner, including acupuncturists, chiropractors, herbalists, homeopaths, massage therapists, midwives, nutritionists, personal trainers, physical and occupational therapists, Pilates instructors/studio owners, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, yoga instructors and others.

In recent years, Working Today's Freelancers Union has emerged as a key conduit and group-rate sponsor of affordable health, life and disability insurance for several thousand New York City-based freelancers, consultants, independent contractors, temps, part-timers and contingent employees. For example, qualifying NYC freelancers can get HMO health coverage from a leading private provider for about $280 per month through Freelancers Union, compared with the average, open-market HMO premium of $521 per month.

Alternative Healthcare Practitioners: Health Givers with No Health Coverage

Said Sara Horowitz, Executive Director of Working Today: "When it comes to health insurance, too many independent workers are simply falling through the cracks. And it's especially ironic that alternative healthcare practitioners, whose job is based on making other people healthier, can't find affordable coverage for themselves. We're thrilled that Working Today will be able to deliver affordable health insurance to this growing segment of New York's workforce. It's yet another step forward in our goal of creating a new delivery system of portable benefits that freelancers retain as they move from job to job and client to client."