Genesee Health Plan- Helping Fill the Insurance Gap
Jim Milanowski, past President of the Greater Flint Sunrise Rotary Club and Executive Director of the Genesee Health Plan presented to the Rotary Club of Flint along with Shannon Ciszek on October 9. They started by acknowledging the frustrations many of us might have when interacting with the healthcare system- and then inviting us to imagine how much harder is is for people without access to health insurance.
When Genesee Health Plan started 25 years ago, that was the reality for 60,000 Genesee County residents- about 15% of the population. Several local healthcare and philanthropic organizations came together to help address the problem by providing seed funding for the initiative, which went on to be supported through a millage. The renewal for the millage will be on the November Ballot under the heading of Healthcare Services Millage. The renewal request calls for the continuation of a .8 mill levy, which would raise about $11.2 million per year.
Jim Milanowski, President Domonique, and Shannon Ciszek, Communications Coordinator, Genesee Health Plan
Since 2001, Genesee Health Plan has provided primary care, dental, and outpatient care to over 100k people. It provides a stopgap support for people who are uninsured, including seniors and veterans without dental insurance. People who have insurance may lose it when they change or lose a job, turn 26, or experience other life changes like a divorce. Outpatient coverage for things like doctors visits, counseling, prescriptions, cancer screening and treatment.
July 2025's federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act included measures that will result in more people becoming uninsured. With the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and other measures, Genesee County's uninsured population had gotten as low as 10,000. While the law was passed last year, the implementation of it was delayed until after the midterm elections. In 2027 and 2028, this number is expected to rise because of new paperwork changes including the need to re-enroll every six months (rather than once per year) and to submit work verification documentation. Most able-bodied people on Medicaid already work; however the difficulty of providing paperwork on time is likely to result in many people being removed from coverage.
Already, the decision to end COVID-era subsidies for people (mostly self-employed) purchasing insurance on the Obamacare marketplace has meant people foregoing insurance because they cannot afford the rising cost of premiums. Escalating healthcare costs are hitting private companies too, and as more employers decide they cannot afford to offer health insurance, this will further drive the need for assistance.
With the implementation of these recent policies, the number of uninsured residents in Genesee County is expected to rise to at least 25,000 by 2028. The presentation ended with a video of Flint Rotarian Dr. Bobby Mukkamala highlighting the importance of Genesee Health Plan to people in our community.
Your Book Recommendations
A few weeks ago, we shared some examples of memoirs that could provide a window into someone else's life experience. Reading is one way to broaden understanding of what it might be like to walk in another person's shoes. We asked you for your own book suggestions, and you responded!
Here are the first two recommendations-- and if you have a suggestion of your own, please email Elizabeth Jordan with the name of the book, the author, and 1-2 sentences about why you chose it. Happy reading!
The First Eight by Congressman Jim Clyburn (suggested by Kyle McCree)
It is a gripping and inspiring retelling of the lives, hopes and challenges of South Carolina’s first eight Black members of Congress during reconstruction following the Civil War. Congressman Clyburn is fascinating storyteller of these first eight stories. He become the ninth Black person to represent the Palmetto State in Congress with a 95 year gap between the departure of his last predecessor and his arrival in Congress.
Boys in the Light by Nina Williams (suggested by Michael Thorp)
It describes how a group of soldiers in WWII saved a young Jewish Boy from war, starvation and the Nazis. And, it tells the story of how that boy became an American.
New Member Second Reading
Name Classification Proposed By
Sandra Johnson Community Development- Chief Lennetta Coney
Community Engagement Officer
Members wishing to comment on proposed members must do so in writing to Club Secretary Ellen Echols no more than two weeks following the second reading.
October Service Opportunity
Ashley Prew is organizing a Trunk or Treat activity on Sunday, October 25 from 2-4 pm. This is a chance for kids to safely trick-or-treat in a supervised area where volunteers have decorated the trunks of their cars and distribute candy there. Rotarians are asked to participate either by decorating their cars and handing out candy or by donating candy to this effort. (If you are participating with your car, plan to come an hour early to set up.)
Please contact Ashley if you are interested in details. If you want to donate candy, feel free to bring it to the October 23 meeting.
Next Up: Thirsty Thursday TOMORROW
Join us from 5-7 pm on October 15 at Luigi's!
And Then...Our District Governor's Official Visit
Our District Governor, Lorna Dunning Fratschko, will be joining our club on Friday, October 23... the day before World Polio Day! Not only does that mean you should come (and bring a friend), if you have not already, please recommit to doing your part to eradicate polio. DG Lorna has combined efforts with Rotary International President Yinka Babalola on President Yinka's "Coco Challenge" in partnership with Rotarians across District 6330! Coco the Cow is the District 6330 Ambassador of IMPACT.
