Strengthening the Safety Net Grants

Improving access and health equity

Since 2005, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has invested more than $1 million each year in Strengthening the Safety Net grants. The grants support free and low-cost clinics that provide care to uninsured and underinsured Michigan residents.

A health care provider giving an exam to a young child.

Building a healthier Michigan

Blue Cross is grateful for our safety net partners who continue to care for those who are vulnerable.

Access to health care improves health outcomes and builds stronger communities by:

  • Reducing health disparities
  • Lowering health care costs
  • Empowering a healthier workforce
  • Creating strong families

Grants are available to Michigan clinics providing free medical, dental or mental health care to uninsured and underinsured residents. Learn more about the grants and how to apply.

A doctor visits a young patient with his family

OUR SAFETY NET PARTNERS

Strengthening the Safety Net

In Michigan, a network of clinics (often run by a small army of volunteer doctors, dentists and professional staff) provide free or low-cost care as a safety net. These clinics play a vital role, helping the most vulnerable in our communities. They rely on fundraising to pay their bills, keep the lights on, doors open and shelves stocked with medical supplies.

Learn more about how Blue Cross partnerships throughout Michigan work to improve health care and help patients who would otherwise fall through the cracks in the health care system. 

Clinics we've supported

Strengthening Safety Net grants are at work in clinics across the state providing much needed health care and improving access for our most vulnerable residents.

 

Together, Strengthening the Safety Net grantees serve as a lifeline for thousands of uninsured and underinsured patients, their families, and communities. 

  • Carefree Medical and Dental – Lansing
  • Caring Heart Free Health Clinic – Marlette 
  • Central Michigan University Street Medicine Program – Saginaw
  • Centro MultiCultural La Familia – Pontiac
  • Cristo Rey Family Health Center – Lansing
  • Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic – Essexville
  • His Healing Hands – Lansing
  • Genesee County Free Medical Clinic
  • People’s Clinic for Better Health – Port Huron
  • The Regents of the University of Michigan – Pinckney
  • Shiawassee Free Medical Clinic – Owosso
  • St. Luke’s Free Clinic – Jackson
  • St. Peter’s Free Clinic of Hillsdale County
  • VINA Community Dental Center – Brighton
Northern Michigan:
  • Boyne Area Free Clinic
  • Northern Care Center – Cheboygan
  • Ogemaw Hills Free Clinic – West Branch
  • Stehouwer Free Clinic – Cadillac
Upper Peninsula:
  • Care Free Dental of Florence and Dickinson – Iron Mountain

 

  • ACCESS Community Health & Research Center – Dearborn 
  • Arab American and Chaldean Council Community Health Center –Detroit
  • C-ASIST – Dearborn
  • Cass Clinic – Detroit
  • Faith Works Medical – Monroe
  • FernCare Free Clinic – Ferndale
  • The Gary Burnstein Free Clinic – Pontiac
  • Health Emergency Lifeline Programs/Corktown Health
  • Hope Medical Clinic – Wayne
  • Hope Medical Clinic – Ypsilanti
  • HUDA Clinic – Detroit
  • The Luke Project 52 Clinic
  • Macomb County Street Medicine & Spartan Street Medicine Program – Clinton Township, Lansing
  • MAPI Clinic – Taylor
  • McLaren Macomb Medical Outreach Clinic – Mount Clemens
  • Order of Malta Medical/Dental Clinic – Detroit
  • Robert R Frank Student Run Health Center – Detroit
  • St. Frances Cabrini Clinic – Detroit
  • Trinity Community Care
  • Wyandotte Clinic for the Working Uninsured – Wyandotte

 

  • Baxter Wholistic Clinic – Grand Rapids
  • Catherine’s Health Center – Grand Rapids
  • City on a Hill Health Ministries – Zeeland
  • Exalta Health – Grand Rapids
  • Fountain Clinic – Marshall
  • Holland Free Health Clinic
  • Hope House Free Medical Clinic – Big Rapids
  • Love in the Name of Christ Free Health Clinic – Grand Haven
  • Mel Trotter Ministries – Grand Rapids
  • Oasis of Hope – Grand Rapids
  • Presbyterian Health Clinic of Branch County
  • Renewed Hope Health Clinic – Allegan