October 3, 2005

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has announced future dates for the public forums continuing to be held to further its efforts on addressing health care coverage for uninsured Michigan residents.

“The Health Care Listening Tour represents a tremendous opportunity for Michigan citizens to share their concerns about the impact that the lack of health insurance is having on themselves and their communities,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. “We want to communicate with local residents directly to learn more about the true impact the lack of health insurance has on individuals, families, and communities.”

The tours, being held through November, include:

Thursday, October 13: Marygrove College Conference Center, 8425 West McNichols, Detroit, MI 48221  (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Wednesday, October 19: Dow Leadership Center, Hillsdale College, 33 East College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242  (4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)

Thursday, October 20: Huron Memorial Medical Center, 1100 South Van Dyke, Bad Axe, MI 48413  (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Monday, October 24: County Board of Commission Chambers, Kalamazoo County Administration Building, 201 West Kalamazoo Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007  (4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, October 26: Lake Superior State University-Cisler Center, 650 W. Easterday Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783  (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Thursday, October 27: Holiday Inn of Marquette, Washington Street & US 41 Bypass, Marquette, MI 49855  (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

Wednesday, November 2: Pine Mountain Resort, N3332 Pine Mountain Road, Iron Mountain, MI 49801  (4 p.m. to 6 p.m. cst)

Monday, November 14: Grand Valley State University-Eberhard Center, 301 West Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49504  (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

The Michigan State Planning Project for the Uninsured – operating since January 2005 under a federal grant – has already involved key stakeholders, policymakers, and professionals who work with the uninsured.

The project intends to broaden and strengthen the current knowledge base regarding uninsured citizens by utilizing extensive research methods, including household surveys, Michigan employer surveys, focus groups, interviews with policymakers, and town hall meetings. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

If special accommodations are needed to attend any of the forums listed above, please contact the MDCH office at (517) 241-2966.