U.P. access coalitions help those that can't afford insurance
IRON MOUNTAIN -- One out of every eight people in Michigan is currently without health insurance, but many of them don't qualify for state assistance because they make too much money. If you fall into that category, there may be hope for you.
The Access to Care coalitions across the Upper Peninsula have put together a program for qualifying individuals to receive healthcare at no cost. In order to qualify for the program, you must be between the ages of 19 and 64, be ineligible for state or federal healthcare assistance and fall at or below 200 percent of the 2009 federal poverty level.
For a single person, that means making $21,660 a year or less.
"Most of these people are working somewhere, contributing to society in a lot of ways and just really cannot afford to purchase their own private health insurance package," said Benjamin Wood, executive director of the Dickinson-Iron Medical Care Access Coalition.
That's the case for Mary Williams, who works part-time at a travel agency and suffers from a heart condition. Williams joined the program after she had to have a stent placed in her heart and couldn't afford the procedure.
"I'm on about six pills and they're very expensive," she said. "So without this program, I don't even know how I'd even be able to live."
The coalitions are able to provide the program because all of the services are donated by medical professionals.
"Helping people, in my mind, reminds me of why I got into this business in the first place," said Dr. Adam Ryan. He's an OB/GYN with Dickinson County Health System and also a participating physician. "It gives me a good feeling."
It also saves costs for hospitals, since the uninsured are less likely to end up in the emergency room.
And, with the state of the economy and unemployment rates rising, more people are taking advantage of the services.
The coalitions cover all fifteen of the counties in the U.P. For a location near your area, you can go to their website at www.uphealthaccess.org
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