Merry Christmas!
The end of the year is always a time for reflection and for
gratitude. I want to take a moment of your time to thank my staff, the clinic
volunteers, my family and friends for their support and encouragement over the
past year.
To quote Charles Dickens – “it was the best of times, it was
the worst of times…” and 2014 had plenty of both.
We began the year with the Open Enrollment in the
Marketplace – and continued to attempt to enroll our patients. It was a
frustrating endeavor at times, but when we successfully enrolled someone in an
affordable healthcare plan, it was cause for celebration. Open enrollment
lasted until the last day of March.
April 1 brought the best news to the population we serve –“opening
day” for the Healthy Michigan Plan – Michigan’s Medicaid expansion. I will
never forget the first person I helped with enrollment in the Healthy Michigan
Plan – the tears in his eyes, and the words his friend spoke: “now you can get
your heart fixed.”
The first four months of 2014 the clinic continued to be
incredibly busy with an average of 64 patients every Tuesday night. That number
began to decline steadily after April 1. We saw an average of 29 patients each
week from April through December.
I have to thank Connie and Linda, and our volunteers, who
worked in a time of great uncertainty. There were hopes and fears about what
the role of the clinic would be – would there continue to be a need? Would
there be funding? What would we do?
I am one of those people that love change – and embrace the
challenge of something new. For many though the uncertainty is unsettling and
difficult. But, everyone persevered and we continued to care for those in need
in our community.
We spend hours trying to teach people about the value of
insurance; assisting them with enrollment in healthcare; and helping with the
transition to a primary care provider. It is some of the best work we have ever
done!
We continue to see people in need here at the clinic. The population of the clinic has changed over
this year. Many of those we see are employed, making in the $8 -$14 per hour
range. Their employer either doesn’t provide healthcare or they cannot afford
it. They make too much to qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan, and cannot
afford the premiums of the Affordable Care Act, even with the tax subsidies. It
is not my job to judge what is “affordable” for any family – I give them the
information they need to make that decision.
And, with all of these changes at the clinic, I also had
family issues to deal with. My husband was hospitalized for a week in May; my
dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer – and died in September; my mother had a
major heart attack in July.
It is amazing to have a staff that can pick up the pieces
and make sure that the clinic can continue without missing a beat. Connie and
Linda did that for me all spring/summer/ and into the fall. The support from
the two of them, and the volunteers at the clinic helped me to survive all that
this year had in store.
And, then there was the joy that came with the birth of my
second grandson –Andrew James. The circle of life was so evident, as he was
born 2 weeks before my dad died.
It is impossible for me to express my gratitude adequately.
I am humbled and awed to work with such an amazing group of people. In addition
to Connie and Linda, I have the most amazing board of directors, who support
and encourage me always. The volunteers here at the clinic are the heart and
soul of the clinic. We would not exist without them.
So, thank you to each and every one of you. Merry Christmas
to you and your families.
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