A fixture in the city of Dearborn that has supported the medical needs of thousands of city residents will no longer exist after June 30, pending approval of the 2011-12 budget.
The Dearborn Health Department–one of the last city-managed health authorities in Michigan–will close its doors as part of the to solve a $20-million budget deficit.
The move is expected to save the city about $170,000 per year, according to Dearborn Finance Director Jim O’Connor.
The elimination of the department will also mean the layoffs of a part-time director, a full-time nurse, three part-time nurses and a part-time doctor.
For the city, closing the department means reducing services that can be obtained by residents through other resources.
“One of my jobs is to look at what services are potentially duplicated services and cut those,” said Mayor Jack O’Reilly. “It’s unfortunate–but we have to retain the services that only we can provide and that’s how we’re approaching this budget.”
But for residents–12,000 to 15,000 of whom seek out the department each year to receive low-cost services or referrals–services will become less convenient, but not impossible, to obtain.
The Dearborn Health Department offers services such as immunizations, blood pressure checks for seniors, cholesterol checks, tuberculosis tests, well-baby classes and lectures on demand by a registered nurse, among others. The department does operate an on-site clinic located in the lower level of the , but also offers referrals to agencies that can provide more complex care to low-income and uninsured individuals.
The department was budgeted at $393, 232, including $183, 250 for potential revenue, for the 2010-11 fiscal year, according to city finances. The city will not save that entire budgeted amount because the revenue stream created from nominal fees paid by clients to the health department will not be realized, O’Connor said.
Residents will most likely turn to the Wayne County Health Department on Van Born Road in Wayne and the , which operates a full-service medical resource center and clinic that is open to everyone in the community.
Michelle Sanchez, medical director for ACCESS, said there will be a ripple felt in the city.
“The health department offered immunizations that were very inexpensive for people who could not afford them–especially for adults,” she said.
“I do think that we’ll be fine; we have doctors on-site every day and we have referrals to the Wayne County Health Department on Van Born Road,” she said. “And we’re open to everyone in the community.”
The clinic at ACCESS offers services on a sliding scale for individuals who meet low-income guidelines or do not have medical insurance.
The Wayne County Health Department’s western Wayne County office also has medical services, but serves a large swath of the county, as do its offices in Detroit.
But for municipal governments, which have seen their property tax income eroded and their state aid dry up in long recession, the last few years have been especially difficult. Dearborn is no exception.
And for health authorities run by local governments, the economic downturn creates a cycle of need among residents at the precise time resources and dollars are disappearing, said Robert Pestronk, the executive director or the National Association of City and County Health Officials in Washington, DC.
“Everyone at public health authorities–from the directors to the board members to the employees–are struggling to figure out how to meet the needs of the communities they serve,” said Pestronk, who was formerly a health official in Genesee County.
“The cutbacks are coming from the local, state and federal levels and most of our members are looking for ways to partner up or to share resources,” he said. “They’re trying to find ways to keep delivering the services expected of them with far fewer resources.”
In Dearborn, staffing cuts, the closure of pools and libraries and changes in how public services are administered are all on the table as the city’s budget process lurches forward.
O’Reilly said he expects the decision to close the health department will be unpopular with many residents.
“We’re facing many unprecedented, tough choices,” he said. “The closure of the health department is one of those.”
Other Resources
Once the Dearborn Health Department closes its doors, residents who used the department will seek low-cost services from other agencies. Here’s a few that accept Medicare and Medicaid, and offer reduced-rate services.
1. Wayne County Health and Human Services
Taylor Health Center
26650 Eureka, Suite B, Taylor, 48180
734-955-3900
2. Wayne County Health and Human Services
Wayne Health Center
33030 Van Born Road, Wayne, 48184
734-727-7100
3. Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services
Community Health & Research Center
6450 Maple Street, Dearborn, 48126
313-216-2200
4. Western Wayne Family Health Center – Inkster
2500 Hamlin Drive
Inkster, 48141
313-561-5100
5. University of Michigan Dental School
School of Dentistry
1011 N. University, Ann Arbor, 48109
734-763-6933
6. University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
Corktown Campus
2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Detroit, 48208
313-494-6700
Dental Clinic at University Health Center/Detroit Receiving Hospital
4201 St. Antoine, Detroit, 48201
313-494-6700
Web resources:
1. The Michigan Department of Community Health
2. Western Wayne Family Health Centers
3. Wayne County Health and Human Services
The money saved could keep the libraries, pools, golf course , and skating rink open. Eventually we will be 'worry free' concerning healthcare, as Obamacare kicks in and folk are told their options concerning receiving healthcare, (if and when) or alternatives.
As a result, doctors will see more patients, do less paperwork, charge less , and take cash or credit cards on the spot. With less staff needed for paperwork, they will make more money. We , the patients , don't have to deal with the govt system. We will get immediate care. Insurance companies will still offer catastrophic insurance for the 'big' stuff. This is already common now in the USA, with clinics offering large discounts for paying cash or Visa and not using an insurance plan. Ask your doctor if it is less $$ if you mention 'no insurance ' and can pay direct. The average is about 30 - 40% less. Of course, the govt can pass a law, like Canada, making the doctors bound to a certain policy and salary. Those doctors, many of them, will simply retire, or go 'underground'. That is common enough in Canada, where the average wait for a MRI scan is 3 months. Have a lump in your breast? Come back in 5 weeks and we will check it out. Cancerous? We can operate in 4 to 6 weeks. Or you can go to the USA and have it done the next day. Decisions on healthcare will still be made on 'ability to pay'. The poor will still lose out just by the length of the wait.
Folk often do what is easier. Right now, as a young doctor with student loans to pay off, it is easier to accept a job with a hospital or health care clinci and work normal hours as a doctor. Those who are more 'creative' will fill the more lucretive niches in health care later on with private practices on the side. For now, opening a private practice is not affordable to many doctors just starting out. Who knows but we may end up going to India for affordable healthcare surgery and faster treatment. http://www.healthtoursindia.com/general-surgery-cost.htm where costs are 1/5th to 1/10th to those of the USA. See link for cost details.
Is that the projected cost with the govt handling it? Right now, the cost is under $17,000, see link. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2006-10-18-end-of-life-costs_x.htm Where are your sources for the statement that folk over 45 are uninsurable? Health care insurance is no different than car or life insurance. One buys the coverage that they want, and life goes on. For some inane reason, you feel that people should not have to worry about their health, and that the govt should hold their hand. That all health care is free as a society benefit. Why should I have to pay for people who are too ignorant to plan for their own health? Since 47% of people do not pay taxes anyway, http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/30/pf/taxes/who_pays_taxes/index.htm of course they want the govt to pay for their healthcare, since they are not contributing to the cost. For some reason, you do not hold these folk accountable for their actions. Regarding health care policy, I suggest we fix the system that we have, add tort reform, and make it so anyone can be insured if they want to , and can pay for it without issue. Charities are another source of help. Not the scam charities, but the honest ones.
Health care is a service just like any other. The only reason it is complicated is due to govt regulation. I can go to several companies and get quotes for car insurance. Ditto for health care for now. In the future from the USA, not likely. How to shop around a heart transplant, cancer, etc. ? Here is one source http://www.healthtoursindia.com/general-surgery-cost.htm, another source for costs and your choice of doctors, procedures http://www.healthoptionsworldwide.com/faq/ These choices for major procedures can be done now, no waiting, and at a fraction of USA costs. Ever wonder why so many doctors are foreign? They come here for the money, then return home to help their own people. By shopping procedures, we are just returning to doctors that are familar with USA patients. Blue Cross takes anyone, and does not deny insurance due to 'pre-existing' conditions. Just because you turn 45, does not mean you are prone to suffer from obese, high blood pressure , etc. unless by choice, and ignorance. Link me stats to prove otherwise. Tort reform? Reform means fixing and putting reasonable limits, not taking away any rights. Millions of $$ for 'hot coffee' is not reasonable. see link http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090828200024AA6HvbF Time to back up your opinions with links.
Does this count or is Harvard School of Public Health socialist what about that liberal bastion The new England Journal of Medicine
Notice all the 'choices' available to one who wants to choose normal blood pressure? All the things to avoid? Regarding concepts, what do you do or have learned to make you an expert on how a market operates, supply and demand, monetary policy, taxation levels? Have you ever run a business? Employed anyone? Talk is cheap, what have you done to improve Dearborn? Have you bothered to review the proposed budget? How many council meetings have you attended?. (watching on TV does not count) All of these questions are probably bizarre, stupid, and worthless to you, since they involve commonsense. thought, and effort. Regarding Tort reform, why are insurance costs for doctors so high? Those high insurance premiums are paid by the patients in the form of higher costs. Often, a doctor would rather retire than pay the premiums, often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lawyers despise tort reform as it hits them in the pocket book. Most politicians are lawyers. Can there be a conflict of interest? Does the govt waste money? Come on...open your eyes! Reform means change, not elimination of the tort system. read here http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/pf/20050727a1.asp Bottom line is less cost and more choice.