8
sahtak - June 2010
The health care you need
Access to care is a key concern in a number of Michigan communities. Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Michigan is committed to helping people get the access to care they
need. With the staggeringly high unemployment rate in Michigan, more residents
than ever are going without quality health care. Research shows those without ac-
cess to care have a disproportionately higher number of health problems compared
to the insured.
The Blues recognizes this concern and as a result has made significant invest-
ments throughout the state to improve access to care, specifically through annual
grants awarded to free clinics and through the MIChild program.
Free clinics
The Blues has contributed $5 million to free clinics since 2005 through its grant
program, which aims to help clinics provide important services like primary care
and behavioral health care, case management, dental services, specialty and diag-
nostic care and prescription drugs.
About 2.5 million Michigan residents under 65 years old went without health in-
surance at some time between 2007 and 2008. Many of these individuals, along with
the underinsured, are able to seek medical care from these free clinics instead of
making a trip to the emergency room or forgoing care altogether. Access to free
clinics also helps curb the rising cost of health care. In 2008, Michigan's 47 free clin-
ics handled an estimated 122,000 patient visits combined.
As a result of Blues funding, clinics have been established and/or kept their doors
open, purchased laboratory equipment, recruited new volunteer physicians and
nurses, and helped patients obtain prescription drugs.
It is important that all members of the
Arab American community are aware of the
free care available, along with health man-
agement classes and seminars provided
within their area. TheHuda community clinic
is one comprehensive health care center that
provides services to the uninsured of any
community. Located within the Muslim Cen-
ter of Detroit at 1605West Davison near the
John Lodge Freeway, Huda is open on
Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2
pm. Visit
for further in-
formation. The Joy-SouthfieldHealth and Ed-
ucation Center in Detroit is another such
clinic. The center offers primary care, screen-
ing, prevention, education and chronic disease
management programs for low-income and
uninsured families and individuals. The clinic
is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from6-8 pmandWednesdays and Saturdays from
10 am-2 pm. Call 313-581-7773 for information and to schedule an appointment.
MIChild
The state government's MIChild programprovides health care coverage to children
of low-income working families. Blue Cross supports the MIChild program and is
one of the insurers families can choose for MIChild medical and dental coverage.
The Blues grant children in the program access to a broad network of doctors and
hospitals that are ready to give care whenever needed.
MIChild covers more than 31,000 children who otherwise would be uninsured. In
2008, we spent $15million to subsidizeMIChild. BCBSM is doing its part to provide
access to care to children and get coverage for every uninsured child.
ready do – take every applicant, regardless of their
health status."
As for employers, Loepp says, "Employers want
health care reform and are keenly aware that the
status quo just could not be maintained when it
comes to the cost of health care. Health care costs
are a critical matter for many businesses.And they
will continue to be. Now that reform is passed, I
think the reaction of employers is similar to ours.
We need more to be done right now about cost
and quality issues.Without addressing those things,
we won't derive the full benefit of reform.Techni-
cally, there is no employer mandate. Employers
with more than 50 employees must provide health
insurance or pay a fine of $2,000 per worker each
year if any worker receives federal subsidies to pur-
chase health insurance. Fines are applied to the en-
tire number of employees, minus some
allowances."
Will the health
of the nation im-
prove?
"Reform's impact
on the overall
health of the nation
remains to be seen.
Making insurance
available to people
who
previously
could not get cov-
erage is a major
step forward. Put-
ting more emphasis
on preventive med-
icine and wellness
programs is a posi-
tive too. It's been
said many times
that our health care
system
doesn't
focus enough on
helping people to
stay well. Instead, our focus is on treating people
after they are sick. Reform legislation may help
change that to some extent."
But he doesn't think the reform plan goes far
enough. "When it comes to expanding access, the
legislation is certainly a step in the right direction.
But we cannot have access and affordability if we
don't have an intense focus on controlling the es-
calation of health care costs.And really, that focus
is absent from the legislation."
What will be the impact on small business?
"Small businesses with less than 25 workers can
start getting tax credits right away for providing
health care insurance to their employees," Loepp
said. "Those with more than 25 will have to wait
until 2014 when Michigan and other states begin
operating the Small Business Health Options Pro-
gram, or SHOP Exchanges, where small businesses
will be able to pool together to buy insurance."
For minority communities, Loepp says "Expan-
sion of access to care is the greatest initial benefit."
Daniel Loepp is a man to watch.You may see him
at your next organization's event. He will certainly
be in the forefront of implementing and evaluating
reform as the country moves forward in its search
for better health and better care.
Free Health Care
Clinics in Your Area:
Huda Community Clinic
1605 W. Davison Avenue
Detroit, MI 48238
313.865.6770
Joy-Southfield Health &
Education Center
18917 Joy Road
Detroit, MI 48228
313.581.7773
"We are
expanding
cultural
competency
training for Blues
employees who
interact with
members of the
Arab and
Chaldean
communities,
whether in sales,
customer service
or other areas,"
Loepp said.
