Health Endowment Fund Hearing Today

The second of six public meetings about the new Michigan Health Endowment Fund is scheduled for this morning in Marquette. The Fund was created last year by the legislature to pay for health programs for children and seniors. It’s being paid for by 1.5-billion dollars being collected from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan members over 18 years. That’s roughly 20-dollars per year for each of Blue Cross’ 4.3-million subscribers. The fund recently committed two-million dollars to help Detroit residents pay their water bills, and clean up after recent flooding. Officials say they want to hear about health challenges in the Upper Peninsula, as well. The meeting begins at 10:00 at the NMU University Center. The remaining meetings will be held downstate. You can link to the agenda here.