Access Priority Paper

Problem: Residents of many medically underserved communities lack access to essential health care services including primary care, dental, and behavioral health.

Recommended Action: Reevaluate our strategy for funding and maintaining programs to recognize that access to health care is critical to meeting the State's economic challenges.

Despite this country's health care resources, too many people lack connection to the medical and economic mainstream. Frequently, these populations have little or no access to essential health care services. Not only is this a crime in a country with so much wealth, the net effect is increased costs to the entire system. Lack of access to essential health care services results in problems escalating to the point that they eventually drive sufferers to a safety-net provider including hospital emergency departments. Clearly, this is not the most appropriate or cost-effective location for care.

For over 30 years, Michigan's community, migrant, HIV/AIDs and homeless health care programs have been delivering comprehensive primary care to the medically underserved communities in our state. Michigan's 29 Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and FQHC 'look-alike' organizations form an essential component of the state's safety net for health care services and provide a comprehensive set of health care services at more than 140 different locations. These organizations are on the front lines of health care serving the most vulnerable populations, including rural and inner city communities lacking adequate providers, patients on Medicaid, the low-income uninsured, the underinsured (working poor), and persons living on the edges of these groups. FQHCs are committed to providing high quality, comprehensive health care services to federally designated medically underserved areas/populations. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC 'look-alikes' are effective partners in maintaining access to essential health care services. While we are an important part of the solution, the entire health care system must realign in order to reach the ambitious, yet achievable goal of reasonable access for all persons.

To truly achieve access and maximize the cost-effectiveness of our health care system, Michigan must continue to work towards access to essential health care services for all residents regardless of:
· Insurance status
· Location
· Age
· Sex
· Race
· Sexual Orientation; or,
· Disease Status.

At a time of budget deficits, it is difficult to embrace such ambitious goals. Challenges bring opportunities and we should take this opportunity to reevaluate our strategy in Michigan for achieving a healthy population.

For these reasons, we are requesting your support. For more information, please contact: