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Health care reform takes center stage:
Health Authority supports efforts in principle
The Detroit Wayne County Health Authority has been on record in support of health reform since President Obama announced his intention to achieve it earlier this year. While the Health Authority's primary concern is ensuring access to quality health care for all - insurance does not ensure access - the larger systemic issues of health care policy at the state and local level are relevant to our local objectives. To that end, we advocate for the following principles to be included in the health reform that we sincerely hope will be achieved this year:
The Health Authority supports the principle of a public health insurance option. If that's not possible, efforts must be made to ensure that everyone has access to private health insurance, including those with preexisting medical conditions, and that the Medicaid insurance program be extended to include more adults.
- We believe that without a strong primary care system - and that includes creation of more physicians and other providers committed to the primary care setting - we'll never achieve true reform in how we deliver health care - and how people have access to health care.
- We believe that health reform needs to make better use of telemedicine and health information technology in medically underserved areas.
- And, we believe that insurers should extend family coverage of young people to age 25, given that many young people in this age group are looking for jobs or are completing their academic studies.
However the President and Congress are able to reach agreement on this critical national issue, there will still be a need to provide increased support for safety net organizations, which will continue to provide urgent, and ongoing health care for an increasingly vulnerable population.
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Dr. Smitherman is honored as a finalist for the national J.H. Kanter Prize
Herbert C. Smitherman Jr., M.D., Assistant Dean of Community and Urban Health and Assistant Professor of the Department of Medicine for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, was named one of four runners-up for the J.H. Kanter Prize. The award, in its first year, recognizes physicians who have dedicated their medical careers to enhancing health care delivery and eliminating disparities.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be considered for such a prestigious national award, let alone receive it, especially given the other deserving nominees," Dr. Smitherman said. "I wish to thank those involved with the Kanter Prize for their leadership in establishing this award."
Dr. Smitherman, an active supporter of the Health Authority and also serves as president and chief executive officer of Health Centers Detroit Foundation Inc., was nominated by the Michigan State Medical Society and the Wayne County Medical Society of Southeast Michigan. He will receive $25,000 for his work in improving access to care and addressing disparities among the underserved in Detroit.
"Dr. Smitherman has given his time, toil, sweat and tears to improve health care for Detroit's most vulnerable population," said MSMS President Richard E. Smith, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. "This city, this state and this country owe him a debt of gratitude for the work he has done and continues to do. Congress should look at how he has developed a system to improve access and quality while controlling costs."
"Dr. Smitherman serves as an example to all physicians to serve as advocates for the uninsured and underinsured in our society," said Chris Allen, Executive Director and CEO of the Health Authority. "His leadership and participation in our Near East Side Initiative has been commendable. We encourage other physicians to join us in the important work of building a stronger safety net."
The prize, named for Joseph H. Kanter, a pioneering health care reform advocate for a personal electronic medical database, is sponsored by the Health Legacy Partnership, a public private partnership with the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. |
WSU panel discusses Health Care Reform
A panel of health care experts, including Dr. Herbert Smitherman, Jr., will discuss different aspects of health care reform tonight, at 6:30 p.m., at the Wayne State University Community Arts Auditorium, 450 Reuther Mall, Detroit. Joining Dr. Smitherman will be Dr. Allen Goodman, WSU Economics professor who specializes in urban and health economics, Todd Zwillich, Capitol Hill correspondent for "The Takeaway, WDET-FM's morning news program, and Nancy M. George, Assistant Professor in the WSU College of Nursing. WDET and Sen. Hansen Clarke are co-hosts for the program.
The discussioni is billed as non-partisan event designed to inform and elevate the conversation on health care reform, "not sway the opinions of legislators." As such, none of Michigan's Washington Congressional delegation have been invited.
Commentary by Dr. Smitherman in the News
clarifies health care reform debate
For many Americans, August brought a cloud of confusion over the health care reform debate, driven in large part by opponents of reform. Dr. Smitherman's commentary in the Detroit News presents details seldom reported in recent media coverage of health care reform. You can read his commentary by going to the following site:
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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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