RELEASE
Michigan Safety Net Clinics Receive Grants to Help Uninsured Patients Get Health Care, Address Opioid and Prescription Drug Misuse
Blues Perspectives
| 2 min read
DETROIT, October 9, 2018 – Forty-five safety net clinics throughout Michigan will receive a total of $827,122 in funding through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Strengthening the Safety Net program. The program, now in its 14th year, provides free or low-cost medical and dental treatment for uninsured and vulnerable Michigan residents. In response to the growing opioid epidemic, the program will support services related to prescription drug misuse and substance use disorders. This year, grant recipients expect to provide care to more than 50,000 Michigan residents. “These safety net clinics care for vulnerable individuals across Michigan, helping patients, families and communities live happier and healthier lives,” said Lynda Rossi, executive vice president at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “From primary care to substance use disorder treatment, increased access to quality, affordable health care is one of Blue Cross’ top priorities and we’re proud to continue supporting those who make it possible.” Clinics that provide free or low-cost medical, dental, mental health, vision and specialty care services were invited to apply for a Strengthening the Safety Net grant in April to support operations or expand services. In addition to the $827,122 in grants from Blue Cross, health care homes offering primary care services received a total of $243,700 in matched funding. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is the largest, private donor to Michigan’s free clinics across the state. Since 2005, Blue Cross has provided more than $14 million in grants so safety net clinics can care for the uninsured and underinsured. An overview of the organizations receiving Strengthening the Safety Net grants is below: The following health care homes, or clinics that offer primary care services for at least 30 hours per week, were awarded up to $25,000 each:
The following clinics that provide urgent and episodic care and treat more than 100 uninsured or underinsured patients each year were awarded up to $15,000 each:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.6 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. In 2018, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan received the J.D. Power Award for “Highest Member Satisfaction Among Commercial Health Plans in Michigan.” For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com. Photo Credit: UK Department for International Development via Flickr
