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August was a hot month for Health Authority events
The Health Authority took a major step forward in August by inaugurating two community events - Walk for the Uninsured and the Inkster Health Initiative. "These events are evidence of the transformation of the Health Authority, into great community engagement," said Chris Allen, CEO of the Health Authority.
"Whether recognizing the important role of community health centers, advocating for access to quality health care for all, or ensuring that all children have a pre-school physical exam and immunizations, the Health Authority now has demonstrated its ability to contribute to public health initiatives."
Walk' raises awareness of health centers and the uninsured
Walk for the Uninsured, held on Aug. 9, was designed to raise awareness of the integral role of community health centers in the safety net and advocate for access to quality health services for all people. The Walk drew more than 100 people, including many major elected officials and several community organizations. Co-sponsored by the Detroit Community Health Connection and V98.7, the Walk also offered a community fitness event, covering 3.5 miles in Midtown Detroit. Several outstanding providers, administrators, and administrators received "Best of the Safety Net" awards. Recipients included:
Susan Schooley, M.D., Medical Director of Cabrini Clinic, Detroit; Margaret Myers, M.D., Medical Director of Mercy Primary Care Center; Pamela Williams, M.D., a member of the Mercy Primary Care Center medical staff; Patricia Meade, nominated by the Wellness Plan; David Ippel, nominated by Western Wayne Family Health Center; Ray Zak, nominated by ZIAD Healthcare for the Underserved; Felix Valbuena, M.D., nominated by the Community Health and Social Services Center (CHASS).
Acknowledging the "exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership, and dedication to improving the quality of life," Council Member Joann Watson presented Chris Allen, Health Authority CEO, the "Spirit of Detroit Award," the highest honor presented to individuals, groups, and businesses in the city. Also offering remarks at the Walk were U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, County Commissioner and Health Authority Board Member Tim Killeen, and Wayne Bradley, CEO of Detroit Community Health Connection.
Inkster students start school year with a good physical exam and health info
The Inkster Health Initiative, held in conjunction with the Inkster School District's Enrollment Fair on Aug. 21, was the first time a coalition of medical, health, and community service organizations offered comprehensive back-to-school physical exams and other health assessments for all students in a school district.
The Inkster initiative was a pilot program for the Health Authority's School Physical Program. Eventually, sports and pre-school physicals will be provided through this program. More than 400 students received physicals. Parents - many of whom would not have been able to provide school physicals for their children - were delighted for their children to have access to vision, hearing, and dental screenings, in addition to comprehensive physical exams. Some families without primary care providers were referred to the Inkster Teen Clinic or the Western Wayne Family Health Center, which is located in Inkster.
Governor Jennifer Granholm recognized the value of back-to-school physicals by proclaiming August as "Back to School Health and Wellness Month". While acknowledging the Inkster initiative, the governor extended her message statewide: "Preparing for school in the fall is a good time for parents to consider the importance of scheduling a comprehensive physical exam for their children," according to the governor's proclamation. "As many as one in seven adolescents have no health insurance, one in three low income adolescents are not covered by Medicaid, and private insurance coverage of adolescents is increasingly restrictive. Studies show that healthy children have higher attendance and are better-prepared to learn."
The Inkster initiative was well-received by evaluations returned by parents. Ninety-five percent of the parents rated the health screening highly and most expressed an interest to attend the event again next year. While the event was targeted to Inkster school students, students from other communities like Detroit, Taylor, and Westland attending Inkster schools also participated. For example, a parent from Westland noted, "We appreciate everybody's help. They were so friendly and helpful. Everybody did an awesome job."
The Health Authority is exploring ways of extending the initiative throughout Wayne County. The Inkster Health Initiative Partners include: Wayne County Department of Public Health, University of Detroit Mercy, American Medical Careers, Everest Institute, Garden City Hospital, Western Wayne Family Health Center, Oakwood Healthcare System, WalMart (Canton), Pistons Corporation, Inkster Teen Clinic, Gamma Psi Delta Sorority, Tri-County Osteopathic Association, Wayne State University Physicians, Wayne State University, Visiting Physician Association, Circle of Care, Inkster Public Schools, American Red Cross, Hegira Prevention, Lifespan Clinical Services: Division of Starfish Family Services, Starfish Head Start, AIDS Partnership of Michigan, Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, Child Care Coordinating Council, MADD, Pro Care Health Plans, Spectrum Child & Family Services, Autism Society of Michigan, Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America - Michigan Chapter, American Cancer Society, CAUSE Tri-County Partnership, Clear Corp., Wayne County Health Start, and the Inkster High School custodians.
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Medicaid Health Plans, FQHCs progress toward collaboration
Talks leading to an eventual referral of an estimated 60,000 Medicaid enrollees to Federally Qualified Health Centers in Wayne County, progressed in August. Highlights from the group's Aug. 7 meeting included:
The mission statement was approved: "The mission of the Federally Qualified Health Centers and Medicaid Health Plans collaborative initiative is to ensure increased access to high-quality health care in Detroit and Wayne County for Medicaid and uninsured patients." As part of the mission statement, the work group also approved a set of shared ideals and proposed two goals: The collaboration will result in more uninsured being served by FQHCs and there will be increased access to Medicaid health plans for Detroit and Wayne County Medicaid beneficiaries.
A report delivered by Neal Colburn of the Michigan Primary Care Association, noted that Medicaid beneficiaries in Detroit-area FQHCs is extremely low. He noted that there is ample opportunity for FQHCs to receive more Medicaid patients into their facilities. Beverly Allen, CEO of Omni Care, led a discussion on assuring that quality, cost, and access measures would make up the framework for preferred assignment to FQHCs. The measures will not differ from those used by Medicaid health plans for other providers.
Chris Allen, leading a discussion on the contract status between FQHCs and Medicaid health plans, proposed creation of one common contract, held by the Health Authority on behalf of the FQHCs and Medicaid health plans. The idea was well-received and is under development as a working agreement.
The next meeting of the work group will be scheduled by the end of September, after which a methodology for referring Medicaid recipients to FQHCs should be established.
"We applaud the willingness and dedication of both parties to establish a working relationship in this ground-breaking initiative that, in the end, will result in greater numbers of uninsured to be seen in Federally Qualified Health Centers," explained Chris Allen. "The Health Authority is pleased to have had the opportunity to help create this collaboration."
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Backgrounder
Research projection: Physician shortage creates critical situation for primary care delivery
A University of Missouri research team recently found that if the supply of primary care physicians is not addressed in an aggressive way soon, by 2025 the nation could have a shortage of up to 44,000 family physicians and general internists. The researchers point to the skewed reimbursement system as the main cause for the growing lack of primary care physicians.
While not a new problem, the situation has worsened in recent years. The number of generalist graduates from medical schools has fallen by 22 percent and declines continue as medical school graduates enter other specialties. At the same time, the U.S. population is increasing by about one percent annually, with the Baby Boomer generation will significantly increase the number of Americans older than 65 by 2025.
Jack Colwill, lead researcher for the study and member of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine,, strongly endorsed the development of patient-centered medical homes for primary care. Medical homes, coupled with reimbursement incentives, could reduce the risk of a primary care crisis significantly. Of course, this situation is considerably more risky for urban and areas with high numbers of uninsured people, many of whom use emergency departments for primary care - or go without.
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| Advantage Health Centers names
Joseph Fergeson Exec. Director
Joseph Ferguson, formerly Director of Operations for Advantage Health Centers, Detroit, has been appointed Executive Director. Advantage Health provides services at three sites in Detroit.
Ferguson has been Chief Operating Officer of Downriver Community Services, Inc., in Algonac. He has also been a vice president at Crittenton Hospital and has held other health care positions.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives and the College of Osteopathic Health Executives.
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MOSES 2008 Public Meeting targets health care, transportation, immigration, food stores
MOSES, a faith-based community advocacy organization will target health care as one of the issues it discusses at its annual meeting, Sunday, Sept. 28, 3:30 p.m. at Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. 7 Mile Road, Detroit. It will examine the Health Authority's East Side Initiative as an example of how the relocation of hospitals to suburban sites often leaves a void in essential primary health services. For more information contact MOSES at 313-963-5290 ext. 10 or mosesmi@mosesmi.org. |
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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