RELEASE
$31,600 in Grants Awarded to Improve Accessibility and Health Care Quality
Teddy Lemmer
| 3 min read
DETROIT, May 5, 2025—Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and the University of Michigan (U-M) Center for Disability Health and Wellness are pleased to announce $31,600 in grants have been awarded to seven safety net health organizations in Michigan to improve accessibility and health care quality for people with disabilities. Funds will support safety net health care organizations that incorporate new initiatives or expand existing projects through the purchase of equipment, resources aimed at enhancing website accessibility and digital materials and support training activities associated with improving accessibility and quality of health care.
“We're proud to support these safety net health care organizations in their efforts to enhance health care access, making health care more affordable and accessible to everyone in Michigan,” said Tiffany Albert, senior vice president of Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “By providing funding and resources to these organizations, we aim to close the gap in health care access. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these grants will have on patients’ lives and their communities.”
Safety net health organizations are vital in improving access to high-quality, affordable health care to people with disabilities and others in need. These organizations play an important role in improving health outcomes, reducing unnecessary ER visits and helping control medical expenses. Regular access to essential health services is crucial, especially for those without a primary care provider, as it enables early detection and management of chronic diseases, prevents serious outcomes and helps improve care affordability.
“People with disabilities deserve safe, accessible health care. This community grant program allows Center for Disability Health and Wellness to work in partnership with BCBSM to support these critical safety net organizations to make that possible,” said Dr. Michelle Meade, Director of U-M Center for Disability Health and Wellness.
These grants are supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the U-M Center for Disability Health and Wellness through a grant and the from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research through the Advancing Health Equity among Adults with Disabilities from Diverse Communities Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (NIDILRR grant #90RTHF0005).
A full list of community-based organizations that have been awarded a grant can be found here.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
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 health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for over 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBlueDaily.com.
About University of Michigan Center for Disability Health & Wellness
The University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness was developed in response to the passion and commitment of faculty and staff in numerous interdisciplinary collaborations across the University of Michigan, who are working to enhance health care access and quality for individuals with disabilities throughout their lifespan. In partnership with the disability community, in Michigan and the US, we develop and apply innovative research, clinical, and educational strategies to address inequities in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes experienced by individuals with physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. For more information, visit medresearch.umich.edu/labs-departments/centers/cdhw.
