Corporate News and Events

Trinity Health Announces $50 Million Call to Care Initiative

Novi, Michigan –Trinity Health today announced a three-year, $50 million “Call to Care” initiative aimed at strengthening the health care delivery system for less fortunate and vulnerable populations across its 44 hospitals in seven states.

“With public health funding shrinking and health care costs rising, we must develop improved models of care for the vulnerable persons of our society,” said Joseph Swedish, President and CEO, Trinity Health. “The Call to Care program creates opportunities for improving the financing and delivery of health care while promoting high quality models of care.”

The Call to Care program is designed to help community health programs strengthen and expand health services to individuals who need them most. Trinity Health has committed funding in two key areas:

• Designated $35 million out of this year’s budget to bring the total principal amount in the Trinity Community Health Fund (TCHF) to $50 million. Beginning in 2007, the interest earned from the fund will more than double the size and number of health grants available to provide necessary health services to at-risk populations.

• Committed an additional $15 million over the next three fiscal years for the purpose of stimulating community benefit initiatives within the various communities served by its member facilities.

“Even as our Trinity Health organizations continue to provide needed care and services, often in circumstances where others either cannot or will not help, we must challenge ourselves to respond in new ways to remove the barriers to care,” said Swedish.

As part of Trinity Health’s renewed focus, providers will identify at-risk segments of their communities who struggle to obtain proper care and management of prolonged conditions such as diabetes, depression, congestive heart failure, hepatitis and asthma. Common access barriers will be addressed, and IT systems will be used to provide access to data and monitor outcomes.

A Call to Care Advisory Council comprised of senior management leaders, board members and external community representatives will define the program’s focus and determine how to award funds to and improve access for people who are most in need.