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Health Authority presents two major events in August
The Health Authority will present two major events which highlight its role as an advocate for safety net providers and the well-being of the uninsured. "Walk for the Uninsured" will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9, in Detroit's New Center. Sponsored by V98.7 FM Smooth Jazz, the event will include presentations by elected officials and representatives of safety net providers, featuring the "Best of the Safety Net" awards presentation.
On Aug. 21, the Health Authority will coordinate what's believed to be the first school district-wide physical program in Inkster. Designed to provide comprehensive physicals for every student in the school district, the program will also provide assistance with Medicaid enrollment and other insurance information. The school physical program is a collaboration with Oakwood Healthcare, Western Wayne Family Health Center, Wayne County Medical Society, Wayne State University School of Medicine, American Red Cross-Southeast Michigan Chapter, and other health organizations.
For more information on both programs, visit the Health Authority's new website at www.healthaccess1.org
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East Side Planning Team issues recommendations for Riverview area
The East Side Planning Team has released recommendations for creating a network of primary care services resulting in a medical home for all residents of the Near East Side of Detroit, in the wake of the closure of St. John Riverview Hospital last year. A sub-group of the Primary Care Network Council, the East Side Planning Team envisions a system of care that puts the needs and preferences of patients foremost in planning and delivering services. This system of care will provide access to a continuum of comprehensive preventive and health care services, develop new primary care capacity that improves access for low-income residents, especially those who are uninsured, better coordinate and strengthen existing health care providers on the East Side, with a focus on the health care safety net, and link urgent care and emergency services with primary care to change long-standing utilization patterns.
The report's recommendations include:
- Strengthen existing safety net providers by building on current Voices of Detroit Initiative and other models to fully implement the chronic care model, effectively use existing capacity through appointment systems, improved patient flow, and referrals, and ensure a stronger payer mix for Federally Qualified Health Centers and stronger financial position for other safety net providers;
- Expand primary care capacity by refining capacity estimates based on participation of other organizations, assess oral health, behavioral health, specialty and pharmacy needs/capacity, form collaborations with health professional training programs, plan to expand existing FQHCs and develop new ones as necessary;
- Define the model of care through a "hub and spoke" model, how the medical home and chronic care model will operate within the system, define approaches to strengthening collaboration among current providers, identify partners for a comprehensive system of care, describe how the model will be structured and managed given multiple organizational partners, and describe how information systems, including electronic medical records, will help link organizations into a system of care;
- Change historic patterns of health service utilization, particularly through strategies that move people out of hospital emergency departments and into a primary care medical home;
- Analyze health information technology needs.
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Board reviews FQHC Expansion and Workforce Development Report
Federally Qualified Health Centers, challenged by limited funds and insufficient recognition and use as patient centered medical homes, require workforce development, according to a report prepared by Neal Colburn, a Michigan Primary Care Association consultant working with the Health Authority. The report's key points include:
- A new workforce development page on the Michigan Primary Care Association website is now available.
- A set of guidelines for establishing relationships with medical residency programs is being developed through the National Primary Care Association Workforce Learning Team on Recruitment and Retention.
- Site assessments of FQHCs by the Michigan Primary Care Association are being reviewed to determine recruitment and retention assistance.
- An FQHC recruitment and retention summit is planned for late fall.
- Anthony King, President and CEO of The Wellness Plan, has agreed to chair of the Safety Net Workforce Development Committee.
DeAnna Warren has been named the association's lead staff member from the assigned to workforce development. |
Health Authority issues grant to United Way to support 2-1-1
Gail Warden, Chairperson of the Health Authority Board of Directors, and Chris Allen, Executive Director and CEO of the Health Authority, presented United Way for Southeastern Michigan with a $100,000 grant to support development of the United Way 2-1-1 Help Line. The health line provides information on Medicaid for people insured or under-insured, as referral for Medicaid application assistance.
The Health Authority grant was presented as part of the Board's planning retreat, July 16. Michael J. Brennan, President and CEO, and Bill Sullivan, Director of 2-1-1, received the award on behalf of United Way.
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Medicaid health plans, FQHCs agree to mission, shared ideals
Representatives of Federally Qualified Health Centers and Medicaid health plans achieved agreement on a mission and shared ideals at a meeting hosted by the Health Authority July 18. The mission "is to ensure increased access to high-quality health care in Detroit and Wayne County for Medicaid and uninsured patients." The shared ideals include:
- FQHCs and Medicaid health plans share similar missions to care for underserved populations.
- All patients, regardless of insurance status, should have access to health care services.
- All care provided will satisfy or exceed established quality standards.
- Collaboration between FQHCs and health plans to facilitate an increase in Medicaid volume to FQHCs will result in more Medicaid and uninsured being served by these safety net organizations.
Discussions will continue between the two groups on Aug. 7, with the expectation of a stronger referral arrangement between the health plans and health centers.
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Michigan Coalition continues working for universal health care
A coalition of citizens, faith-based and community groups working to improve the state's health care system last month announced a new state and nationwide effort to expand and protect access to quality, affordable health care. The $40 million "Healthcare for America Now!" initiative was launched in July in more than 52 cities nationwide, including the Detroit area.
The "Healthcare for America Now" campaign will pressure elected leaders at the state and federal levels to make important changes to improve access to health services, including strengthening social accountability among health insurers and creating a system that will allow people to choose a public health plan as an option to commercial insurance.
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The Detroit Wayne County Health Authority's mission is to coordinate efforts to meet the health needs of the uninsured and underinsured residents in Detroit and Wayne County by assuring access and improving the health status of all people.
"It's about access...for all."
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