Interventions that Work | Changing the face of Medicaid

Guest: Linda Hamacher, President & CEO, Genesee Health Plan of Michigan

Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is a community-based non-profit that provides primary care & other basic services to 27,000 low-income, uninsured adults in Genesee County, Michigan, one of the most economically depressed areas of the U.S. The Genesee Health Plan is the only local one in Michigan that is funded directly by the community through a special millage. The plan reduced its enrollee’s’ use of emergency department services by 51% and hospital admissions by 15% between 2006-2007. The success of the Genesee Health Plan has demonstrated that any community–even one with scare resources–can provide basic, affordable health services to uninsured adults.

Linda Hamacher, President/CEO, Genesee Health Plan and Senior Consultant, Health Management Associates, is responsible for consumer advocacy and quality review and improvement in underserved populations. Her work includes reduction of re-hospitalizations, network and service development, and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. She designed award winning community-based programs including sustainable funding and disease and care management programs to improve access and quality of life.