A net of clinics catches Saginaw County residents who fall through the health-care cracks.
Sarah Goodell of Burt has cerebral palsy, but wasn't using a wheelchair until an accident more than a year ago changed her health.
She broke her ankle, which led to infection that surgeries couldn't cure and cost her her right leg below the knee.
When Goodell, 25, found herself facing another infection at the end of the amputated leg, she turned to the free Healthy Futures clinic at the Rehmann Health Center in Chesaning. Dr. Bala Srinivasan, who is new to the clinic, recently treated her.
"It was the most productive appointment I've had in months," she said. "I've had Medicaid most of my life, but it's not paying for much right now. I was seeing specialists, but they aren't taking my Medicaid anymore."
The Healthy Futures Coalition is a group of hospitals and community agencies that support a network of free medical clinics in Saginaw County. They serve residents who have no insurance and many who are homeless, as well. Healthy Community Partners coordinates the project through St. Mary's of Michigan hospital in Saginaw.
Three Saginaw churches now host monthly mobile clinics, along with the Rehmann Center and the East Side Soup Kitchen. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Saginaw is a new addition. The Underground Railroad shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault hosts a clinic for its residents.
The Chesaning medical clinic reopened last month with two new doctors, after six months with no provider, said Lori E. LaRue, director of the Rehmann Center. Srinivasan and his wife, Chander, are providing care two Tuesdays a month.
Volunteer nurses, doctors, residents and nursing students provide care at each clinic, while three "neighborhood health guides" help clients find care and more permanent coverage.
"We help the underserved if they are having an emergency, but if someone has Medicaid, we usually refer them back to Health Delivery (a federally funded clinic system based in Saginaw)," said Carol Sproull, Healthy Futures business manager.
The organization is seeking a new director to replace Lisa G. Hadden, who left in late March. Cherie Sammis, vice president of mission services at St. Mary's, is overseeing the network.
"Our clinics are for those without insurance and we try to get them on the Saginaw County Health Plan," Sproull said. "But people tend to come in and out of the program. They may lapse on their insurance or are in-between coverage or can't get into a doctor. We don't want people to have to go to an emergency room."
Goodell learned about the clinic when she went to the Community Prescription Support Program (CRxSP) office at 401 Holden in Saginaw for help getting pain medication that isn't covered anymore, she said. She also takes blood thinners and antibiotics.
Goodell lives with her mother, who is her home health care provider and receives Social Security for income. She became ineligible for her Medicaid health plan and can't reapply until January, she said.
"It's been a nightmare, but you do what you have to do to get healthy again."
A student taking online college classes, Goodell said she is hoping to find someone to fit her with a prosthetic leg. She also hopes to find another psychologist, since that doctor also stopped taking Medicaid patients, she said.
There are more services available to Healthy Futures patients.
A new adult dental clinic opened in May at the Rehmann Center in Chesaning, and is open two days a month by appointment.
A $40,000 grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan helped fund the new dental service, Sproull said. Dr. Jeannine Hopfensperger is the volunteer dentist serving current Healthy Futures patients. A hygienist and assistant do cleanings and take X-rays.
"This is the only dental clinic in the county, so all Healthy Futures patients will come here," LaRue said. "We already had a dental office, but the grant revamped the room."
Rehmann, a private nonprofit center that opened 60 years ago, also is a satellite clinic for the Saginaw County Department of Public Health, which offers children's dental care there, LaRue said. Department staff also provide immunization and family planning clinics.
All-day immunization and blood pressure clinics are set for the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month starting in July, she said. Staff with the WIC program will meet with clients at Rehmann on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
The services: From referral to treatment
Residents of Saginaw County who are uninsured or homeless are eligible for treatment at Healthy Futures clinics.
Healthy Futures services available at no cost to patients include:
• Assistance in enrolling in health plans.
• Assistance with paperwork for Medicaid, Saginaw County Health Plan and other plans.
• Free health assessments and primary care treatment.
• Adult dental care and vision care.
• Help finding a medical home with a provider who will see uninsured patients.
• Counseling and referral to other health care agencies for treatment.
• Transportation.
• Health education and screenings.
• Referral to all community resources and services.
• Assistance navigating through systems of services available in Saginaw County with "neighborhood health guides."
• Referral to substance abuse/mental health services.
• Free influenza vaccinations.
• Medication assistance is available through the Community Prescription Support Program (CRxSP).
Call 907-5602.
Seven clinics offer free assistance
Clinic schedule:
• Chesaning Clinic -- Rehmann Health Center, 147 S. Saginaw,
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
• Adult Dental Clinic -- 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., first and third Tuesdays of the month at Chesaning's Rehmann Health Center. Must have no insurance coverage or be a documented Healthy Futures patient as of June 1, 2007. Call 907-8775 for an appointment.
• Naseau Clinic -- East Side Soup Kitchen, 940 E. Genesee in Saginaw,
9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday
• Underground Railroad -- For clients at shelter on South Washington in Saginaw, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month
• Rapha's Clinic -- Living Faith Ministries, 1902 Stone in Saginaw, one Saturday each month. Call 907-8775 for dates.
• Family Life Clinic -- New Life Ministries, 217 S. 7th, Saginaw, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month.
• Self Reliance Clinic -- St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 720 Tuscola in Saginaw, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month.
Hotline: Contact Healthy Futures guides for more information about clinics and services at 907-8408.