July 17, 2003
Dear Colleagues:
By now, you've heard the encouraging news that Lansing has agreed to a $50 million “bailout” to avert the closing or severe curtailment of services at Detroit Receiving and Hutzel Women’s Hospitals. This agreement comes after months of discussion and negotiation among politicians and policy-makers. Importantly, the allocation is the result of widespread efforts among many, many stakeholders working at all levels —- from the Governor’s Detroit Healthcare Stabilization Work Group, to grass-roots campaigns by our students and residents. These combined, thoughtful and comprehensive activities have significantly contributed to the public attention and coalescence of opinion that provoked immediate action. Congratulations to all of you who have voiced concerns and worked in behalf of this important cause.
However, our work has just begun. While the allocation agreement reached yesterday provides short-term relief, it is only the initial step in developing a long-term solution. Much more must happen in the weeks and months to come in order to turn the failing system around and assure the continuity of important health care services within our community.
The Stabilization Work Group and its subgroups are meeting daily toward reporting to the Governor by the end of this month; recommendations will focus on establishment of a Health Care Authority charged with fiscal and possibly managerial oversight of delivery of care to the under- and uninsured in Wayne County, if not regionally. What form this authority will take and how it is charged is an important consideration if Detroit and its surrounding communities are to thrive, and if our School of Medicine and its affiliates are to remain sustainable and continue to grow. President Irvin Reid joins the School of Medicine in advocating that this authority have an academic mission. To this end, we have established a web site and have drafted an open letter to officials that I am inviting you to sign. Visit: http://authority.med.wayne.edu.
Your collective support has been successful thus far. I want to thank you and urge your continued, important contributions toward solving this difficult issue.
Sincerely,
John D. Crissman, MD
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