Access News Archive

---

 

UPHAC is proud to announce …

Medical Care Access Coalition (MCAC) of Marquette is Michigan’s 2008 Outstanding Volunteer Program, one of eight Michigan volunteer organizations and citizen-volunteers honored as part of the 2008 Governor’s Service Awards ceremonies June 19.

The Outstanding Volunteer Program Award recognizes the important role that organizations play in harnessing volunteer service for improving community life.

Accepting MCAC’s award in Detroit was Executive Director Melissa White (pictured above with Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern). Melissa was joined for the occasion by Dr. Kevin Piggott, the first volunteer medical director at MCAC’s Volunteer Clinic, and UPHAC Executive Director Stacie Kucera. UPHAC was pleased to nominate MCAC for the award.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have the state recognize the incredible effort, quality care and excellent services that we and our volunteers are providing to uninsured residents in Marquette County," said Pat Micklow, MCAC board president. "Our mission is to save, and our outstanding director, staff and truly working board of directors appreciate what this service award represents."

MCAC was one of 8 awardees recognized by Michigan Gov. Granholm and First Gentleman Mulhern, who chairs the Michigan Community Service Commission.  Forty finalists had been selected from nearly 180 individual, business, and nonprofit organization nominees from across the state.

---

 

WANTED:  Exceptional Community Care ‘Heroes’
Nominations Accepted Through March 13 for “Hero for the Uninsured” Awards

This spring, exceptional contributions that open doors to health care for uninsured Upper Peninsula residents will be recognized with 2009 “Hero for the Uninsured” Awards, presented annually by U.P. Health Access Coalition and five local Access Coalitions of the U.P.

Every day throughout the year, generous individuals and institutions make a difference in the lives and the health of our uninsured families, friends and neighbors –

• medical professionals contribute care and office space,
• volunteers recruit and enroll uninsured residents in access programs,
• hospitals and clinics provide medical services or tests free of charge or at reduced rates,
• community partners refer people to access programs for crucial health services, and
• pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies distribute free or at-cost medications.

Nominations of “Hero for the Uninsured” candidates are being sought around the U.P. to recognize deserving volunteers and medical providers who help make health care, medications and needed medical services available to U.P. residents regardless of their ability to pay.
Nominators may recommend individuals, institutions, organizations and/or programs that:

• Demonstrate exceptional effort in providing access to care for uninsured U.P. residents, either in a singular event or ongoing work.
• Make exemplary sustained and/or new contributions to the goal of achieving 100 percent access to health care in the Upper Peninsula.
• Provide special efforts in direct care services, program outreach and emphasis on dignity in care to Local Access Coalition patient-enrollees or the uninsured population of the Upper Peninsula in general, or
• Create/implement new or innovative ideas and/or programs that support the cause of access-to-health-care for uninsured Upper Peninsula residents.

Nominations may come from patients served and the general public as well as from the health care community and Access Coalitions and their partners.  Deadline for submissions is March 13, 2009.

---

 

Your Neighbor Rachel Brown and Community Health Access Coalition:
Making a Difference for the Uninsured

NEWBERRY -- Each day that Rachel Brown goes to work at Community Health Access Coalition (CHAC) in Newberry, she knows there will be an opportunity to help someone with a serious need.  In her role as CHAC coordinator for Luce County, it happens all the time.

“Community Health Access Coalition is a safety net program that makes a difference in the health and lives of our families, friends and neighbors in Luce County,” Brown said. “It’s gratifying to be able to connect them to services answering a basic human need – health care for uninsured, working-age adults of our county.”

Brown started working with CHAC, first as a volunteer, in 2005, a couple years after it began serving residents of Chippewa, Mackinac, and Luce counties. She sees positive results from her work with program enrollees and the many medical providers and social services offices that make up that safety net. 

Like Access Coalition staff members around the U.P., she connects residents’ health care needs to volunteered services from area doctors, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other support sources.

“I call Rachel and she answers my questions or researches, then calls me back that day with the answer,” says Beatrice Zerby of Newberry, who has been enrolled in the CHAC program since October, 2007.  “She’s great!”

“For many years, I went without proper health care -- when I was sick, I just stayed sick for long periods.  I didn’t go to the doctor unless I was in horrendous pain and then just prayed they’d have samples of the medication I would need,” she said.  “If they didn’t, they would write me out a script and I would leave the office and cry, knowing I couldn’t get it filled.”

“I’m so happy and thankful that I am finally able to get meds when I need them and also able to see a doctor,” she said.

At CHAC’s offices in Sault Ste. Marie, Newberry and St. Ignace, every day is “Make a Difference Day” – an occasion observed nationally this Saturday. Helping, caring, serving – it’s what Access Coalition work is all about.

“CHAC is able to provide the coordinated health care services because of the wonderful volunteers in our community,” says Andrea Osborn, CHAC program manager. 

“The medical providers that partner with CHAC ‘Make a Difference’ every day in the lives of the uninsured by donating their time and expertise; the local hospitals and pharmacies provide donated and discounted services, and local volunteers donate their time to enroll patients into our program as well as complete paperwork for additional services for CHAC patients.”

In 2007, for example, CHAC secured over $1.5 million in donated care and services for 861 patients.  “I am proud to say that CHAC staff was able to provide over $540,000 in donated pharmaceuticals for our patients in the tri-county area by completing Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (PAP) applications,” Osborn said. 

“By assisting to bring these pharmaceuticals to our patients, we are completing the circle in the continuum of medical care, from health care provider visit to hospital services to prescription assistance,” she added.

In communities across the Upper Peninsula, local Access Coalition staff help keep medical care within reach for thousands of their fellow UP residents.  Their coordination activities locate services to assist patients without health insurance – arranging for doctor/clinic appointments; coordinating laboratory tests, X-rays, and specialty care; applying for medications from PAP programs, and connecting them with other community resources and services. 

Overall, in 2007, five local Access Coalitions in the UP located and coordinated more than $3,799,000 in donated or low-cost purchased direct care services and medications for 3,014 uninsured residents.  That was up substantially from $2,665,000 in 2006.  Pharmaceuticals alone accounted for $2.1 million of the 2007 figure.

In doing so, they partnered with more than 400 physicians, 13 hospitals/health care systems, six health departments and a wide range of community service organizations that volunteer care, services and other resources.

If you (or a friend or loved one) are uninsured and a resident of Luce, Mackinac or Chippewa counties, perhaps CHAC can make a difference for you.  Contact Rachel Brown in Luce County at 906.293.8355; Rashel Morningstar in Mackinac County at 906.643.7253, or Paulette Sporte in Chippewa County at 906.635.7483.

 

---

 

UPHAC Honors 6 ‘Hero for the Uninsured’ Awardees

Six exemplary health care providers from across Upper Michigan were honored May 1 for their contributions in providing services to uninsured Upper Peninsula residents. They received 2008 “ Hero for the Uninsured” Awards at an evening recognition dinner in Marquette, sponsored by UPHAC during “Cover the Uninsured” Week.

• Care Free Dental Clinic, Inc. of Escanaba, an all-volunteer dental care service for uninsured Delta County residents that works with Medical Access Coalition, honored as an “Innovation Hero.”


• Teresa Kowalski of Dafter, a certified nurse practitioner who has volunteered at the Community Health Access Coalition’s monthly clinics for uninsured Chippewa County residents, recognized as a “Personal Touch Hero.”


• Medical Arts Medical Center of Houghton, a four-physician family practice group, honored as a “Most Valuable Partner (MVP) Hero” for work with the Western UP Healthcare Access Coalition in serving the needs of uninsured area residents.


• Patient Assistance Center of Dickinson County Healthcare System of Iron Mountain, which has partnered with the Dickinson Iron Medical Care Access Coalition to coordinate prescription medication acquisition for residents of Dickinson and Iron counties, recognized as a “Most Valuable Partner (MVP) Hero.”


• Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital of Manistique, a partner organization with Schoolcraft Health Access/Medical Care Access Coalition, recognized as a “Most Valuable Partner (MVP) Hero.”


• Martha Short, MD, and her MCAC Clinic staff, Melissa Broeders, PA-C, and Cathy Paquette, LPN, of Marquette, a medical team and long-time champions of compassionate, volunteered care for uninsured recognized as an “Above & Beyond Hero.”

"UPHAC is pleased to again recognize special people and organizations in 2008 for extending exceptional assistance to uninsured residents of their communities,” said Bill Reid, UPHAC board president. “These ‘Hero for the Uninsured’ awardees represent hundreds of others who partner with the Local Access Coalitions of the U.P. to selflessly respond to needs of their families, friends and neighbors without health care coverage.”

A total of 17 community citizens and organizations were nominated for 2008 Hero Awards.

(View 2007's 'Heroes')

 

---

 

Access Coalitions Take Part in Local Health Fairs.

Staff from Medical Access Coalition's Delta and Menominee county offices participated in a Health Fair April 19 at the Little River Golf Club in Marinette, WI. Darice Hannon, assistant program coordinator in Menominee, left, and Mary Williams, MAC program coordinator, greet visitors at the MAC booth.They highlighted the upcoming Cover the Uninsured Week observance (April 27-May 3) and shared information about MAC services with about 200 area residents who attended the fair.

Other Local Access Coalitions participating in spring health fairs include Community Health Access Coalition's Mackinac and Luce County offices at the West Mackinac Health Fair in Engadine April 26 and Medical Care Access Coalition's own community health fair at Marquette Commons following the MCAC Awareness Walk May 3.

 

---

 

Hero Awards 2008

Health Care ‘Hero’ Recognition Dinner
To Celebrate Support, Service to Uninsured U.P. Residents

On May 1, during Cover the Uninsured Week (April 27-May 3), the Upper Peninsula Health Access Coalition invites the public and the U.P. health care community to a special event celebrating contributions of exemplary citizens and organizations that improve the health and well-being of hundreds of their Upper Peninsula neighbors. 

The annual “Hero for the Uninsured” Awards for 2008 will be presented during an evening dinner and reception beginning at 6 p.m. at Upfront & Company in Marquette.  Among dignitaries participating in the ceremonies will be a 2007 “Hero” Award winner, Dr. Kevin Piggott of Marquette, who will speak from an historic perspective on the outlook for national health care as well as from his experience with the Access to Health Care movement. 

2008 “Hero” Award winners from across the U.P. will be announced in four categories – “ Above & Beyond Hero,” “Most Valuable Partner (MVP) Hero,” “Personal Touch Hero” and “Innovation Hero.”

In today’s troubled economy, it’s an everyday dilemma:  faced with choosing between paying for basics like food and housing or the costs for health care, too many Upper Peninsula residents are going without medical services and prescriptions to make ends meet. 

For the fortunate ones that choice isn’t necessary, thanks to intervention from dedicated health care providers, committed medication sources, extraordinary social services and other selfless efforts by community support programs and volunteers.  These individuals and programs step forward as part of their everyday routines to make a difference in the lives and health of residents in their communities, often at little or no cost to the patient.  They work independently or in cooperation with Local Access Coalition programs around the U.P.

This awards dinner is an opportunity for U.P. communities to thank those who help “cover” uninsured residents’ health care needs.   Medical care organizations, health care service and prescription providers, social service groups and others involved in examining and addressing needs in the regional population’s health profile are encouraged to attend this event.

It is sponsored by UPHAC and five Local Access Coalitions which serve citizens of all 15 U.P. counties: Community Health Access Coalition (Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac); Dickinson-Iron Medical Care Access Coalition; Medical Access Coalition of Delta and Menominee Counties; Medical Care Access Coalition (Marquette, Schoolcraft and Alger) and Western U.P. Healthcare Access Coalition (Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon).

Tables at the dinner may be sponsored by affinity groups for their members and/or individuals and organizations from their communities whom they’d like to recognize during “Cover the Uninsured” Week.

Individual tickets are $25; tables of 6 may be reserved for $125. Organizations may also support the annual “Hero” recognition dinner as a “Community Builder” at three levels of sponsorship. 

Register online for group or individual reservations for the “ Hero for the Uninsured” Awards Dinner. Any questions can be directed to: adittrich@uphealthaccess.org . 

Deadline for reservations is Friday, April 25.

 

---

 

Senator Stabenow Visits MCAC Office

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (center in photo) met with Access Coalition board members and staff at Medical Care Access Coalition offices in Marquette Sept.4 to discuss access to health care programs in the Upper Peninsula and Congressional health care legislation, including pending bills for reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

“We’re pleased Senator Stabenow graciously accepted our invitation to discuss health care issues affecting our families, friends and neighbors here in the U.P.,” said Bill Reid, UPHAC board president (left in photo). “Her interest in and support of the work of Access Coalitions and her commitment to making health care accessible to all Americans is gratifying, and we hope to continue working with her toward that end.”

 

---

 

DIMCAC VISTA Honored for Service

Erik Koenig of Iron River, a VISTA volunteer with the Dickinson-Iron Medical Care Access Coalition (MCAC), has been recognized as a finalist in the 2007 AmeriCorps *VISTA Spirit of Service Award competition.

Erik began his VISTA service work with the Iron County access program office in February, 2005.  He has been largely responsible for developing MCAC’s outreach in Iron County where he grew up; he has not only garnered services of dozens of volunteers but has helped raise donated dollars to offset costs of medications for uninsured residents in the program.

MCAC Executive Director Benjamin Wood nominated Erik for his demonstrated leadership skills. “Erik has certainly been a vital part of our successes with the program to date.  His knowledge of his hometown community has been immeasurable as we’ve worked to get our program off the ground within the last three years,” he said. “He’s been a true asset for us and is very deserving of this national recognition.”

AmeriCorps*VISTA is a national and community service program that assists small grassroots organizations in economically challenged communities to build capacity for addressing local needs through the placement of more than 6,000 VISTA volunteers nationwide.

 

---

 

UPHAC Recognizes 8 ‘Hero for the Uninsured’ Awardees
Cover the Uninsured Week – April 23-29, 2007

“These ‘Heroes for the Uninsured’ provide exemplary assistance on a regular basis and, for the most part, their service goes unheralded,” said Bill Reid, president of UPHAC. “We are pleased to honor contributions of eight exceptional ‘Heroes’ as we recognize the work of hundreds of others who partner with our Local Access Coalitions to serve the uninsured.”

Honorees for 2007 are:

• Ruthann Davey of Calumet, a volunteer enrollment counselor and office assistant with Western Upper Peninsula Healthcare Access Coalition (WUPHAC). She is honored as an “ Above & Beyond Hero.”
  
  
• Jeannette Hauver of Marquette, an enrollment and pharmaceutical assistance program volunteer with Medical Care Access Coalition (MCAC). She is a “Personal Touch Hero” awardee
  
  
• OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group of Escanaba, whose charity care program has supported the mission of Medical Access Coalition of Delta and Menominee Counties (MAC-DMC). OSF is one of four “Most Valuable Partner” Hero awardees.
  
  
• Kevin Piggott, MD, of Marquette, a family care physician and Volunteer Medical Director for MCAC, was instrumental in establishing MCAC as the first access-to-health-care program in the U.P. and is an a dvocate for health care reform nationally. He is recognized as an “Above & Beyond Hero.”
  
  
• Portage Health System’s Financial Assistance Program of Hancock, honored as a “Most Valuable Partner” Hero awardee for providing more than $1,202,000 in quality health care services free or at reduced cost to low-income uninsured residents of four counties served by WUPHAC.
  
  
• Steve Roell and TDS Pharmacies of Iron Mountain and Norway, partnering with Dickinson-Iron Medical Care Access Coalition (DIMCAC) on a pioneering local effort to make prescription drugs affordable for the uninsured through a $4 co-pay plan at TDS Pharmacies. They are recognized with an “Innovation Hero” award.


• Upper Peninsula Association of Rural Health Services, Inc. of Marquette, a “Most Valuable Partner” Hero awardee, has been active in the access-to-care movement through connections between local Access Coalitions and its six Federally Qualified Health Centers at Crystal Falls, Engadine, Ewen, Menominee, Sawyer and Spalding; 2 centers (Spalding and Crystal Falls) pioneered a unique working relationship with DIMCAC.
  
  
• War Memorial Hospital of Sault Ste. Marie, a “Most Valuable Partner” Hero honoree for working closely with Community Health Access Coalition (CHAC) of Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac counties to provide patients with free or low-cost laboratory and X-ray, in-patient and clinic services through its charity care program.

“Hero for the Uninsured ” awards are presented annually by UPHAC in conjunction with five Local Access Coalitions to recognize excellence in service that advances their shared mission of achieving 100 percent access to quality health care with dignity for residents of the U.P.

 

---

 

LEGALLEY RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP EFFORTS