The following is a message from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan :
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is awarding free clinics throughout the state a total of $1 million in grants that will provide health services to individuals and families without health insurance. With the Michigan unemployment rate currently at 15.3 percent more Michigan residents than ever are going without health insurance.
“In these difficult times, free clinics are putting health care in reach for people who need it,” said Lynda Rossi, Blues vice president for Social Mission and Public Affairs. “Free clinics are a place for uninsured people to turn to for quality health care. Uninsured residents who get care in free clinics often otherwise would delay seeing a physician because of the cost. Delay often leads to more expensive care in emergency rooms and even hospital stays.”
The Blues have contributed $5 million to free clinics since 2005. This year’s grant program aims to help clinics provide important services like primary care and behavioral health care, case management, dental services, specialty and diagnostic care, and prescription drugs.
About 2.5 million Michigan residents under 65 went without health insurance at some time between 2007 and 2008. Many of these individuals, along with the underinsured, are able to seek medical care from these clinics instead of making a trip to the emergency room or forgoing care. Access to free clinics also helps curb the rising cost of health care. In 2008, the free clinics were able to provide an estimated 122,000 patient visits combined.
“This grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will not only improve access and effectiveness of provided care and reduce the number of unnecessary and costly ER visits, but also help us to better coordinate and manage existing limited resources,” said Dr. A. Turcke, president of Genesee County Free Medical Clinic in Flint.
The following local free clinics received a grant from the Blues this year:
- Essexville – Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic, 1460 W. Center Rd., 989-895-4830
- Flint – Genesee County Free Medical Clinic, 2437 Welch Blvd., 810-235-4211
- Lapeer – Loving Hands Clinic, 148 Maple Grove Rd., 810-667-8933
- Saginaw – Cathedral Mental Health Care, 705 Hoyt Ave., 989-759-3356
- Saginaw – Community Prescription Support Program, 401 Holden St., 989-907-5602
- Saginaw – Healthy Futures of St. Mary’s of Michigan, 2215 N. Center Rd., 989-907-8108
