Free Clinics Can't Handle Detroit's 200K Uninsured
DETROIT (WWJ) - The executive director of the nation's oldest free clinic is disappointed that Michigan Senators decided to break for summer recess without voting on a Medicaid expansion.
Sister Mary Ellen Howard, with Cabrini Clinic at Most Holy Trinity Church in Detroit, says there are about 200,000 people in Detroit who are uninsured.
Cabrini said her clinic and only handle about 1,500 — and there are only a few other free clinics to help the rest. (Scroll down for free clinic information).
"And, none of us has any kind of income, so we have very limited hours," Cabrini told WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting. " We're dependent on volunteers to provide the care and we do the best we can to help as many as we can — but, we certainly are not the answer ... we have to do it all through fundraising."
Cabrini Clinic holds two fundraisers a year. Cabrini says some former patients help by giving back to the clinic in terms of financial contributions or by volunteering their time.
Gov. Rick Snyder blasted lawmakers for going on vacation earlier this month without taking a vote on a bill would put 400,000 low-income workers on Medicaid. Snyder says, if the legislation fails, the state will see emergency rooms flooded with "hardworking people" forced to use the ER as their health care system.
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FREE CLINICS IN DETROIT:
Cabrini Clinic at Most Holy Trinity Church
1234 Porter Street, Detroit, MI
Phone: (313) 961-7863
www.cabriniclinic.org
Huda Clinic
13240 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit, MI
Phone: (313) 865-8446
www.hudaclinic.org
Mercy Primary Care Clinic
5555 Conner, Detroit, MI
Phone: (313) 692-8400
www.mercyprimarycare.org
Joy-Southfield Clinic
18917 Joy Road, Detroit, MI
Phone: (313) 581-7773
www.joysouthfield.org
