As part of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's mission to improve access to health care coverage in the state, the company is renewing its commitment to provide $1 million in grants to Michigan's free clinics that provide health care to the uninsured (see also Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan).
Last year BCBSM contributed $391 million to Michigan through an array of initiatives that included $1 million in support to free clinics, $15.5 million in costs from participating in public programs like MIChild, $77.5 million to support hospital charity care and bad debt, $147 million in mandated subsidization of Medicare Supplemental and group conversion health coverage, $133 million in costs due to premiums not covering medical costs for health care products purchased by individuals, and other charitable activities and programs to promote access to quality health care.
'We are proud of the depth and breadth of Blue Cross Blue Shield's unique mission that is returning dividends to the people of Michigan through free clinics grants and many other programs and contributions,' said Lynda Rossi, BCBSM vice president of social mission and public policy. 'These contributions are perhaps far exceeding those delivered in any other state by an independent nonprofit Blues plan.'
BCBSM funding helped prevent one clinic in Jackson from closing its doors, and helped other clinics purchase items from medications to office supplies. In addition, the funding has enabled clinics to expand or develop new dental clinics, move to larger facilities, purchase essential lab equipment and recruit more volunteers.
'The Free Clinics of Michigan are very grateful for the support that Blue Cross has provided in the last four years,' added Joyce Hardy, president of the Free Clinics of Michigan and manager of Essexville's Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic. 'Until there are changes to national policy to provide health care for everyone, there will be no shortage of need. Continued free health care will hopefully keep the many we serve healthy.'
The BCBSM program awards grants after reviewing proposals from free clinics that have 501(c)(3) charitable status. Grant amounts this year will range from $5,000 to $50,000. Community needs, planned objectives and the services the clinic provides are taken into consideration. Special consideration will be given to clinics that offer free dental care. Interested clinics can obtain the grant application at bcbsm.com/freeclinicgrant.
In 2007, BCBSM grants helped 32 clinics in 21 counties provide care. They included eight West Michigan clinics, 10 in southeast Michigan, five in mid- Michigan, three in the Flint/Tri-Cities area, five in northern Michigan and one in the Upper Peninsula. Those 32 free clinics last year made available low or no-cost care to an estimated 78,000 uninsured or underinsured state residents.
Catherine's Care Center of Grand Rapids, one of three clinics in that city to receive grants last year, purchased lab equipment enabling it to speed test results and increase capacity. The grant dollars have played a pivotal role at other clinics. In southeast Michigan, a BCBSM grant will help Detroit's Cabrini Clinic move into expanded space to accept more patients, while another grant helped move a clinic operated by St. John's from a converted trailer into new facilities at Detroit's Cooley High School. In mid-Michigan, Care Free Medical, with locations in Lansing and Mason, used its grant to support operations. Blues employees in the Lansing area now serve as volunteers to staff positions to help with administration.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit organization, provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.6 million members residing in Michigan in addition to members of Michigan-headquartered groups who reside outside the state. The company offers a broad variety of plans including: Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield; Blue Preferred, Community Blue and Healthy Blue Incentives PPOs; Blue Care Network HMO; BCN Healthy Blue Living; Flexible Blue plans compatible with health savings accounts; Medicare Advantage; Part D Prescription Drug plans, and MyBlue products in the under-age-65 individual market. 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 company information, visit bcbsm.com.
Keywords: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Medicare, Health Policy, Health Insurance.
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
