| What is MCAC?
Medical Care Access Coalition is a faith based initiative, volunteer
non-profit organization. It is comprised of civic leaders and
representatives from medical, public health, mental health/substance
abuse, faith-based and consumer groups of Marquette County, Michigan.
The vision of MCAC is to provide "All people will
have access with dignity to quality, affordable healthcare."
The mission of MCAC is to "Develop a model system
to provide needed healthcare to underserved individuals in Marquette
County, and to assist other communities in doing the same."
Our History
Medical Care Access Coalition was born out of a committee meeting
at First Presbyterian Church in Marquette, Michigan. Attendees
to the committee’s meetings began to investigate the issue
of lack of access to primary health care for many of the citizens
of Marquette County. Out of these early meetings, the church realized
that there was indeed a population of citizens that had little
or no access to basic medical care. It was retired minister Rev.
David Mair who first pushed the committee to do something about
it.
Early on, MCAC was mentored by the Buncombe County Medical Society
(BCMS), whose volunteer physician program was already providing
free access to care for North Carolina citizens. By using the
volunteer services of medical professionals and building a network
to other medical services (such as donated radiology, donated/
reduced cost prescription medications, laboratory work, etc),
the BCMS’s clients were offered affordable primary care
and management of chronic illness. MCAC carried this vision back
with them to Marquette County in the new Medical Access Program
(MAP).
By September of 2000, MCAC had incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) organization.
This opened the door for MCAC to secure grant monies from several
religious organizations, and for the Peninsula Medical Center
to donate office space to the organization. In the summer of 2000,
MCAC hired the first staff member, signed up dozens of volunteer
physicians, and was well on the way to creating a sound infrastructure.
By September 1 of 2001, MCAC had secured a federal Community Access
Program grant (CAP Grant), and began enrolling patients into the
Medical Access Program.
Our Founding
Contributors:
-Bell Memorial Hospital
-The Community Access Program (CAP)
-Community Volunteers
-First Presbyterian Church
-Lake Superior Hospice
-Marquette Catholic Diocese
-Marquette Community Foundation
-Marquette County Health Department
-Marquette General Health System
-Marquette Rotary
-Northern Michigan University
-Presbyterian Women U.S.A. Thank Offering
-Saint Paul's Episcopal Church
-Saint Peter Cathedral
-State and Federal Grants
-Temple Beth Sholom
-Upper Peninsula Medical Center
FAQ's (Frequently Asked
Questions)
Q. Is MCAC a low cost insurance program?
A. MCAC is not an insurance program. MCAC is an access
coalition. In other words, MCAC networks eligible persons with
no access to medical care to donated and volunteer services.
Q. How much does it cost to join MCAC's Medical Access
Program?
A. There is currently no cost to join the Medical Access
Program. All services are donated free to the client with the
exception of a $4.00 co-pay amount for included generic medications.
Q. Will MCAC help pay for my medical outstanding bills?
A. MCAC does not pay for medical bills or other medical
services. As a networking agency, MCAC connects clients with donated
care. No preminums are paid to join, and no services are paid
for by MCAC. Included and authorized services have been donated
by the physicians, their practices, and local hospitals.
Medical
Access Program (MAP) Diagram
|
