By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Reporter
SAULT STE. MARIE - "Health care is a right, not a privilege," was the sentiment echoed by those in attendance at the public forum on health care held at Lake Superior State University by the Michigan Department of Community Health on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Acknowledging a need for health care reform in the state, the MDCH began the listening tour in September, meeting with residents across the state to gather information that will be used to plan and possibly restructure the health care system. The MDCH is currently working under a planning grant to determine the need for health care reform. The next stage of the project is to present the information gathered on the tour to an advisory council, which will then take the information up the ladder to legislators.
Local health professionals told MDCH officials of the hurdles they face as providers and suggested the state be more pro-active in providing preventative care, while residents spoke of the high cost being a challenge in acquiring regular care.
While the recent opening of the Community Health Access Coalition has alleviated some of the strain placed on those who are uninsured, more than 4,000 Chippewa County residents have no health care whatsoever, according to the Primary Health Care Profile of Michigan data book.
Those living and working in the Upper Peninsula face even more challenges of being in a rural location; the U.P. does not have the same number of health professionals as other parts of the state, particularly those in specialized areas and the number of employers offering health care plans at an affordable cost is dwindling.
As the 40th state in the country to receive the planning grant, Michigan is approximately at the same stage as other states receiving the monies, according to Ellen Speckman-Randall of MDCH.
Speckman-Randall said that many of the concerns voiced at the forum were the same as at other forums across the state.
"We really have to make it [health care] affordable," said Speckman-Randall. "Part of it is creating a system out of it."
The MDCH plans to wrap up the health care listening tour downstate later this month. The Sault Ste. Marie event was the seventh held in the series.
"It's important to hear what individuals are concerned about when considering developing a plan," said Speckman-Randall.
