Healthy Living Newsletter
“Living Without Health Insurance”
Mercy Hospital reaches out to raise awareness regarding the plight of the uninsured
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| Tamara and David Knabenshue of Port Huron, meet with Robert Camara, DO, one of the many volunteer physicians at the Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health. Dr. Camara serves as the Chair of the Peoples’ Clinic Physician Committee with the St. Clair County Medical Society. The medical society and Mercy Hospital cosponsor the Peoples’ Clinic. |
The “American Dream” can take many forms. To some, like David and Tamara Knabenshue of Port Huron, it means two children, a home and financial security. For many it can also fall short when a basic component is missing — access to affordable health insurance.
Although both Tammy and Dave work, neither can find a job providing health care benefits to meet their health needs or those of their two teenage children.
For the Knabenshues and more than 20,000 others like them in St. Clair County (based on St. Clair County Health Department statistics), they look for hope from local health and social service programs, and pray that a health crisis isn’t in their future.
To obtain medical care and help control their chronic health conditions, Dave and Tammy have turned to the Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health.
The Peoples’ Clinic provides free medical care to St. Clair County adults 18 to 64 years of age who lack health insurance and the financial resources to pay for their care.
For 18 years, the Peoples’ Clinic has been providing hope to individuals such as the Knabenshues.
“We once had health insurance,” comments Tammy, “but that seems so long ago.”
For the past three years, Tammy and Dave have received treatment at the clinic for their chronic diabetes. In addition, Dave has hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea. Tammy also needs monthly prescriptions for cholesterol.
Thanks to the Peoples’ Clinic which is cosponsored by the St. Clair County Medical Society and Mercy Hospital, Tammy and Dave see a physician and receive their needed medications for free. Out-of-pocket, the Knabenshues’ monthly cost would be $887.20.
Local Access
Tammy, who provides home day care, wakes at 3 a.m., and ventures out to wait in line for an appointment once a month at the clinic. “When Dave gets out of work at a local pastry shop, he joins me at the clinic,” explains Tammy, “so he can see a physician and obtain his medications.”
Peoples’ Clinic is open three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to noon. It is staffed by nurses and local physicians and specialists who donate their time to help those in need. The clinic is located on Port Huron’s south side in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission.
Prescription assistance is funded in part by the United Way of St. Clair County. In 2007, more than $900,000 in prescription medications was distributed to clinic patients.
Each year, the clinic provides for more than 3,000 patient visits and serves approximately 1,000 individuals.
“One of the main functions of the clinic is to help patients maintain chronic health conditions,” comments Linda Lalonde, RN, Director of the Peoples’ Clinic. “In the past several years, we have seen a large increase in the needs of individuals with health problems such as hypertension and diabetes.”
Although the main function of the clinic is to provide access to primary medical care, the clinic also offers access to specialty care. Through the generous support of local specialists, the clinic provides a gynecology clinic, diabetes clinic and orthopedic clinic. When patients’ needs are unique, a number of local specialists see Peoples’ Clinic patients in their offices.
This extensive network of services has been designed and honed over a number of years. Meeting the needs of each individual is at the core of clinic staff work.
In addition to utilizing the services of the clinic, the Knabenshues have also accessed the Mercy Cares program, which provides financial supports to area patients who lack health insurance and financial resources; and are in need of hospital services.
“I don’t know what I’d do without Peoples’ Clinic and Mercy Cares,” comments Dave. “I’d probably be bankrupt.”
A Growing Problem
The Knabenshues are not unlike thousands across Michigan. In 2006, there were nearly 5.3 million Michigan residents, and of those 13.4 percent were uninsured.
The national numbers tell an even more dramatic story. It’s estimated that 47 million Americans are without health insurance and the number continues to grow.
To help raise awareness regarding the issues of the uninsured, Mercy Hospital has joined thousands of other hospitals across the United States in national Cover the Uninsured Week. This year’s week of awareness is April 27 through May 3.
What’s Being Done
“During the months leading up to and including this week, Mercy develops materials and works to help raise awareness,” comments Peter Karadjoff, President and CEO of Mercy Hospital. “Although it’s a part of the Mercy Hospital values to support the poor and underserved on a continual basis, this week allows us a platform to remind our community that this is an issue that must be addressed.”
Mercy Hospital’s sponsor corporation, Trinity Health, is also actively engaged in this initiative both on a state and national level.
“In February, I, along with Mercy Hospital Board Member Rich Seim, visited Washington, DC with other Trinity Health representatives to talk with our senators and congressional representatives regarding these and other issues,” continues Peter.
“These ‘advocacy activities’ allow us a voice to share our concerns and request intervention from our nation’s leaders,” he says. “Being a part of a nationwide health care provider, such as Trinity Health, offers a level of input not always available to other hospitals. Together Trinity Health shares a voice with 14 United States Senators and 26 Representatives.
“I firmly believe, that everyone in the nation has an opportunity and a responsibility to share their concerns, ideas and vision, especially during an election year,” explains Peter.
Mercy’s Advocacy Action Center
To help area residents better access state and national leaders, Mercy Hospital has developed a special link on its website. The new “Advocacy Action Center” provides both email, mail and phone access information. The new section also includes information on both Mercy Hospital’s work and the work of Trinity Health.
A Solution is Out There
A unified solution — whether it is local or national — is something the Knabenshues think we desperately need.
“Because we both work, neither of us is eligible to receive state Medicaid assistance,” comments Tammy. “It’s also been difficult for us to access children’s services such as MIChild for our kids. The cost of living continues to increase, but our paychecks don’t. Purchasing health insurance is just something we can’t afford.”
“I’m afraid that one day only the wealthy will be able to have access to health insurance,” comments Dave, who also admits he doesn’t have the answer.
“Dave is not alone,” explains Peter. “State and federal representatives, agencies and local grass roots organizations have been working for years to find a way to meet this growing crisis.
“There have been a number of attempts and statewide initiatives throughout the country to find a way to break this cycle, and there are a number of promising ideas on the forefront,” says Peter. “That’s why it’s especially important that everyone raise their voice together to make this one of the most important local, state and national agenda items.
“We can’t do it alone,” continues Peter. “Although Peoples’ Clinic is a fantastic resource for the community, it’s simply not the answer to this overall issue. The cost of providing care, and the demands of physician time continue to increase while the available local resources continue to be stretched.”
Help is Available
For now, individuals like Tammy and Dave, can continue to turn to the Peoples’ Clinic and other resources in the community.
“I don’t know what we’d do without the clinic and physicians like Dr. Camara,” says Tammy. “The staff are outstanding and they are always respectful and efficient.”
Robert Camara, DO, a family practice physician with Mercy Family Care — Marysville; and Chair of the St. Clair County Medical Society Peoples’ Clinic Physician Committee, regularly sees the Knabenshues at the clinic.
“Dr. Camara has been wonderful to us,” says Tammy. “We try to see him whenever he’s scheduled, but all the doctors are great.”
“I’m very thankful for the clinic and all the doctors and nurses who give up their time. They have the heart to help people who are really in need,” concludes Dave. “I just hope one day, something will happen to make health insurance available to everyone.”
“I agree,” concludes Peter, “living without health insurance is a risk no one should have to take.”
For more information regarding issues surrounding the uninsured, access to the Peoples’ Clinic or Mercy Hospital’s work to raise awareness regarding the plight of the uninsured, go to the Advocacy Action Center section of this website. You can also contact the clinic directly, during regular business hours, at (810) 985-4747. To find out more about Cover the Uninsured Week, visit www.covertheuninsured.org.
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