DETROIT, April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a program that will provide $1 million in grants to free clinics in Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network today announced the names of 10 free health clinics in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties that will share $322,840 in grants designed to help make it easier for the uninsured to get needed health care.
The company will announce in early May the names of additional clinics outside the tri-county area that will receive grants.
“National Cover the Uninsured Week will be observed next week in Detroit to call attention to this important issue that touches everyone,” said Richard E. Whitmer, Blues president and CEO and an honorary co-chair of the observance. “This grant program aims to help free clinics reach out and serve more of the uninsured in our area.”
The tri-county clinics receiving grants are: Covenant 559 W. Grand Blvd, 313-554-1095 $41,000 Facility Community Care Detroit renovations for new dental clinic Gary Burnstein 90 W. University Dr., 248-737-8824 $50,000 Pharmacy Community Pontiac equipment Health Clinic and supplies Jewish Family 655 W. Maple Rd., 248-592-2324 $20,000 Pharmacy Services West Bloomfield resources St. Frances 1050 Porter, 313-961-7863 $50,000 Prescription Cabrini Clinic Detroit assistance St. Joseph 215 N. Avenue, 586-263-2971 $20,000 Pharmacy Mercy of Mt. Clemens resources Macomb and lab testing St. Joseph 55 Clinton St., 248-333-0840 $6,360 Vision Mercy Oakland Pontiac equipment St. Vincent 16000 Pembroke, 313-837-5078 $25,000 Free and De Paul Detroit low-cost Health Center medication program The HUDA 1605 W. Davison, 313-865-8446 $46,990 Add exam Clinic Detroit rooms and service expansion Thea Bowman 211 Glendale, 313-866-2419 $49,600 Recruiting, Wellness Highland Park community Institute outreach Tri-County 29350 Southfield Rd., 248-559-7767 $13,890 Recruit Dental Southfield volunteer Health Council dentists
Sister of Mercy Mary Ellen Howard, state coordinator for Free Clinics of Michigan, explains that free clinics do not bill for their services and most do not have a source of funding other than fundraising. Many struggle financially to meet the needs of uninsured poor families who turn to them for assistance. She said the grants are “a real blessing for these clinics.”
Besides medical care, some free clinics also offer dental care and mental health counseling. Their operation relies on the goodness of volunteer physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists and other health care professionals contributing time, services and medications. Many are continually in jeopardy of closing.
“Residents served by Michigan’s free clinics are real individuals and families who need real care. Perhaps they are between jobs, or have just started a job and have no company-provided health insurance yet, or work for a company that does not provide it,” said Kevin Seitz, Blues senior vice president and president and CEO of Blue Care Network.
Seitz said the problem of the uninsured affects everyone, including those with health insurance. “The grants help strengthen resources available to the uninsured. Instead of the uninsured being treated in emergency rooms, they can have access to earlier, more effective and often less costly treatments and that can help hold down health care costs for everyone in Michigan,” he said.
Grant applications were reviewed by an advisory panel with representatives from the Blues, the Detroit Medical Center, The Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan State Medical Society and the Michigan Osteopathic Association.
Part of the Michigan Blues’ social mission is to partner with groups such as the free clinics to expand the safety net so that more residents can get access to health care. The Blues are founding members of Michigan’s Access to Health Care Coalition of organizations and businesses representing health care professionals, purchasers and consumers dedicated to improving access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit corporation, provides health care benefits to just over 4.7 million members through a variety of plans: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue PPOs; Blue Choice Point of Service; Blue Care Network HMO, and Blue HSA(SM) plans compatible with health savings accounts. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit http://www.bcbsm.com/ .
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Blue Care Network
CONTACT: Helen Stojic, +1-313-225-8113, or Bill Semion, +1-313-225-7975,both of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, mediarelations@bcbsm.com
Web site: http://www.bcbsm.com/