[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF THE VOICES OF DETROIT INITIATIVE

 Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I would like to take a moment to 
recognize the Voices of Detroit Initiative, VODI. VODI provides an 
opportunity for people living in Detroit and Wayne County, who do not 
have insurance, to improve their health. VODI has emerged as an 
extraordinary leader in Michigan's efforts to provide better health 
care access for the uninsured. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 
RWJF, recognized VODI for its efforts and awarded them a grant as part 
of RWJF's Urgent Matters initiative to increase understanding of the 
health care safety net and improve the efficiency of emergency care.
  Over a quarter million residents are without health insurance 
coverage in Detroit and Wayne County. This lack of insurance has severe 
implications on patient health and the availability of resources to 
care for the uninsured, most of whom are low-income working people. As 
a result, more than 50 percent of emergency room visits are for 
problems that could have been treated outside of the emergency room.
  VODI is a coalition between Michigan's leading systems: Henry Ford 
Health System, Detroit Medical Center, St. John Health, Oakwood 
Healthcare and Federally Qualified Health Centers. The Federally 
Qualified Health Centers are made up of Advantage Health Centers, 
Community Health and Social Services, CHASS, and Detroit Community 
Health Connection, and the Detroit and Wayne County Health Departments. 
Together these leaders work to connect the uninsured with a provider or 
clinic that can provide direct care on an ongoing basis, a ``medical 
home.'' Health care services at these sites are provided to VODI's 
members on a sliding-fee scale. VODI also engages in multiple 
activities to promote better health care access for the uninsured, 
including a pharmacy assistance and medication review program, a 
tobacco use reduction program, and care management services to assist 
clients with managing their chronic health conditions.
  On behalf of the people of Michigan, I am pleased to express 
appreciation to the Voices of Detroit Initiative for their untiring 
leadership in coordinating and leveraging scarce resources on behalf of 
the underserved and uninsured and to honor the organization, its staff, 
and its partners as they continue to work to fulfill their lifesaving 
mission.

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