Health Centers Looking to Help Low-Income Families

The Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center has secured funding from the Federal Bureau of Primary Care to improve access to quality healthcare in Houghton. The funding will help transition Portage Health’s existing primary care practice into a Family Health Center that is designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center. This means that they will accept all patients and insurances, inlcuding Medicare, regardless of ability to pay. UGLF Health Center CEO Don Simila says this is an all-around effort to bring quality health care to the community. Established patients will continue to have the same relationship with their providers and for many patients, this transition will lead to lower fees. Future health centers will be opened in Calumet, Lake Linden and Ontonagon.