RELEASE
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Awards More Than $1 Million to Safety Net Providers Across the State
Meghan O'Brien
| 2 min read
DETROIT, Dec. 2, 2016 – Safety net clinics statewide will receive more than $1 million of support from grants awarded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Fifty free and low-cost health care clinics across the state will share $740,000 in grants from Blue Cross to expand access to medical and dental care, and five Federally Qualified Health Centers will receive nearly $370,000 to help build their capacity to care for vulnerable patients and support innovation and transformation within Michigan’s safety net. With these grants, Blue Cross has contributed more than $12 million over the last 12 years to Michigan’s safety net clinics to provide medical, dental and mental health care for Michigan’s under and uninsured population. “We are honored to be the largest, private donor to Michigan’s free clinics across the state,” said Lynda Rossi, executive vice president of Strategy, Government and Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Our clinic partners are able to reach tens of thousands of individuals who otherwise have nowhere to turn. Their work takes us closer to ensuring all Michiganders have access to care outside of the emergency room setting.” The 50 grants were awarded statewide, from the western Upper Peninsula to southeast Michigan (full list of grant recipients below). With these funds, the safety net clinics expect to treat more than 64,750 vulnerable patients and assist 38,000 with obtaining coverage or other services that contribute to good health. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 8.5 percent of Michigan citizens are uninsured, which is a 3.9 percent drop from 2010. “Safety net providers offer vital, primary health care and dental care services to people across the state and play a key role in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s mission of expanding access to health care services, enhancing quality of care for patients and addressing major health issues to create a healthier Michigan,” said Rossi. The following is a listing of Federally Qualified Health Centers receiving safety net grants from Blue Cross:
The following is a list of safety net clinics that received up to $25,000 from Blue Cross:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides and administers health benefits to more than 4.5 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies who reside outside the state. For more company information, visit bcbsm.com and MIBluesPerspectives.com.
