NEWS RELEASE
Strengthening Access, Strengthening Communities: Grant Program Accepting Applications to Expand Healthcare Access Across Michigan
Teddy Lemmer
| 4 min read
DETROIT, July 29, 2026—Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Cross Complete of Michigan are now accepting applications for the 2027Strengthening the Safety Net grant program and invite Michigan free and charitable healthcare clinics to apply. The need for accessible, affordable healthcare continues to grow across Michigan, with the share of residents living with multiple chronic conditions climbing by 20% in recent years. This year’s program builds on $17.8 million invested by Blue Cross over the past 21 years to support more than 50 free and charitable clinics across Michigan.
As medical costs rise, the Strengthening the Safety Net program is designed to respond by prioritizing access to primary care, prevention and coverage support. Over the past 21 years, the program has helped clinics provide care to more than 250,000 uninsured and underinsured patients, avoid more than 400,000 unnecessary emergency room visits and save Michigan’s healthcare system over $200 million. Building on that impact, the 2027grants will help fund free or low-cost medical, dental and behavioral healthcare, as well as pharmaceutical assistance and referrals to specialty care. Grantees will also assist patients by screening for health-related social needs and referring them to organizations that will help patients meet needs such as food, housing, employment and transportation.
“Safety net clinics play an essential role in Michigan communities, often serving people when they have nowhere else to turn for care,” said Tiffany Albert, senior vice president of Community Relations and chief inclusion officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “By supporting these organizations, we’re helping more residents access the primary, preventive and whole-person care they need to stay healthy, avoid preventable health complications and build stronger futures for themselves, their families and communities.”
“Blue Cross Blue Shield has been a partner of the Burnstein Clinic for many, many years and because of their support, we are able to go right into the community, hear what the community needs are and respond in such a way that people get better. We could not do that without the partnership of Blue Cross Blue Shield,” said Mary Lewis, executive director, Dr. Gary Burnstein Clinic.
Eligible safety net organizations must be located in Michigan with a mission to serve low-income, uninsured and underinsured patients. They must operate as an independent nonprofit or partner with a 501(c)(3) organization, provide essential services to over 100 patients at little to no cost to the patients and work with volunteer clinicians and administrators. Grantees must be independent of national or state affiliates, have a qualified clinical director and have operated for at least two years as of January 1, 2027.
Applicants may apply for a grant to support clinic operations or services such as a medical or dental home. Safety net clinics are eligible to apply for up to $15,000 to support operations. Clinics that serve as medical or dental homes are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 to support team-based care and must raise an additional $10,000 to match the Blue Cross award.
Eligible clinics can submit applications through September 1, 2026. All materials must be submitted via the online application bcbsm.com/safetynet. Questions may be directed to safetynet@bcbsm.com.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for over 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBlueDaily.com.
About Blue Cross Complete of Michigan
Blue Cross Complete of Michigan is contracted by the state of Michigan to provide medical services to eligible Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries in 58 counties in the Lower Peninsula. Blue Cross Complete of Michigan is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit mibluecrosscomplete.com.
