MiBlueDaily
Jake Newby
Aug. 4, 2025
Preventive care plays a pivotal role in keeping individuals healthy and out of an expensive health care system. Safety net clinics provide preventive care to vulnerable populations who may not otherwise be able to afford it.
A safety net health care facility is a type of medical center that provides care to the uninsured and underinsured regardless of their ability to pay. They sometimes charge sliding-scale fees based on income. They are designed to catch the individuals who fall through the cracks of the health care system, like a safety net.
They also help to keep people out of high cost settings like emergency rooms and urgent care clinics. They include organizations such as free clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Blue Cross has supported safety net organizations for 20 years
Since 2005, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has invested more than $17 million in Strengthening the Safety Net grants to increase access to affordable health care in Michigan and improve health outcomes. These grants support nearly 50 clinics each year and have helped more than 250,000 uninsured and underinsured residents access care.
If safety net clinics weren’t around in Michigan, some individuals would have no place to turn for essential health care. Think about a person with diabetes, for example, who becomes ineligible for Medicaid next year after relying on it to access necessary health care. He needs to receive regular A1C testing and screenings for complications. This person may have to turn to a safety net clinic to receive the life-changing care he requires.