The city, which is currently battling a water crisis, switched to the Flint River water supply in 2014 to save money while building a more cost-effective regional water system to bring in water from Lake Huron. After hundreds of children got lead poisoning from the new water supply, the mayor declared a state of emergency. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Flint earlier this month. Susan Hedman, regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chicago-based region 5, which oversees Michigan, also resigned last week amid complaints she did not do enough to prevent the water crisis.
Now, healthcare providers and insurers are stepping in.
Here are four things to know about how they are helping the city.
1. Officials for Flint-based HealthPlus of Michigan, Troy-based Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Flint-based McLaren Health Plan and Detroit-based Meridian Health Plan of Michigan said they are increasing the amount of state-mandated lead screening tests for children age 6 or younger, according to the report. The entities have given money and also are working closely with the Genesee County (Mich.) Health Department and Flint schools to provide staff for screening exams, according to the report.
2. According to Crain’s Detroit Business, officials with Hurley Medical Center, Genesys Health, based in Grand Blanc, Mich., and McLaren Flint, said hospitals in the area also have increased their efforts through the Flint Area Health Coalition, which is coordinating the local health effort, as well as clinics they operate in the city.
3. Kirk Smith, CEO of the Flint health coalition, told Crain’s Detroit Business the Flint health coalition has formed the Flint Child and Health Development Fund, which will provide child development, nutrition, education, social services, medical and behavioral support. The fundraising goal is $100 million.
More articles on the Flint water crisis:
Michigan EPA chief steps down amid Flint water crisis: 4 things to know
At least 87 Legionnaires’ cases, 10 deaths linked to Flint water crisis
7 questions with a pediatrician in the thick of Flint’s lead poisoning crisis
4. According to the report, the Flint health coalition also is administering the Genesee County Children’s Healthcare Access Program, or CHAP, which helps physicians with social support services for families.
