Big Three Sound Off: Evans, Patterson & Hackel on Politics, Sinkholes and Their Future
Finalists featured in special edition of
ACHIEVE!
Pages B4 and 5
Page D6
POWERED BY REAL TIMES MEDIA
Volume 80 – Number 37
michiganchronicle.com
May 24-30, 2017
A shopper downtown on Woodward Ave. enjoying the pleasures of a revitalized ...but not more than one mile away, near 3rd Ave. and Martin Luther King Blvd., just Detroit ... outside of the booming Midtown area, a harsh reality persists – Andre Smith photos
Are we there yet? By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
H
opefully, in the not-toodistant future, we here at the Michigan Chronicle will finally be able to write a headline story for our annual Mackinac edition proclaiming that Michigan is full speed ahead toward the creation of One Michigan focused on the betterment of all its citizens, and that Detroit can now honestly call itself the Comeback City without sweeping the neighborhoods, the schools, the unemployment rate and the poverty rate under the rug.
Detroit’s recovery is real... It’s also fragile and uneven
Suffice it to say, this glorious future hasn’t quite arrived yet. Although progress has been made toward revitalizing Detroit’s core neighborhoods, and the importance of having well-lit streets once again cannot be overemphasized, the stubborn persistence of extreme poverty in this city — and its related effects can also not be overemphasized. The depth of the problem is complex and widespread, but simply speaking it is this: With nearly 40 percent of the population living at or below the poverty level, nearly 50 percent
of the population considered functionally illiterate, a broken school system, and a workplace economy unable to absorb, retrain and hire so many poorly qualified individuals, this city is ticking. And let’s agree that the QLine will not save us. It’s not fast enough and doesn’t travel far enough to outrun our problems. Detroit unemployment is roughly twice the statewide average at 10 percent, although it is down notice-
See DETROIT'S
RECOVERY page A-4
And then hope no one notices that big lump.
Navigating health care’s turbulent waters By Tammy Battaglia Special to the Chronicle
The Affordable Care Act debate in Washington could mean big changes for health care down the road in Michigan.
Geoffrey Fieger
WHAT’S INSIDE
Salute to Marjorie L. Harris, Ph.D. Page B-7
$1.00
Abdul El-Sayed
2018 already? Yep
What will happen to Michigan residents newly insured by the Obamacare-funded Medicaid expansion in the state? Will those with pre-existing conditions lose guaranteed coverage? What happens to students under 26 covered now? Changes in the ACA can also mean big changes to insurance and hospital operations in Detroit and Michigan. Currently, the Medicaid expansion in Michigan is projected to add at least 30,000 jobs in the state each year from 2017 to 2021, and increase personal income more than $2 billion each year, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor's race already picking up steam By Danton Wilson Special to the Chronicle
Buckle up your chin straps, Michigan. The state seems headed for a rough-and-tumble, full-contact 2018 gubernatorial contest.
promotes improved and efficient health care. The added economic activity is projected to yield $145 million to $153 million annually in state tax revenue. Richard Smith, MD, Henry Ford Hospital’s vice president of physician outreach, an obstetrician who’s been practicing in Detroit for more than 40 years, points out that 600,000 Michiganders got health care coverage, and unpaid medical bills and charity coverage dropped by half after enactment of the ACA. He said staying connected with a doctor, and health care system that uses technology to communicate to you and among providers, is key to staying on top of health care coverage. In addition to helping you manage your own care, that communication helps lower costs across the board. For instance, Henry Ford Medical Group, the practice representing more than 1200 Henry Ford doctors; Health Alliance Plan (HAP); Ford Motor Company; Fiat Chrysler Automobile; General Motors; Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Michigan; Medco Health Solutions, and CVS Caremark Corporation worked together to create an Internet-based, e-prescribing program that lowers costs, improves safety and increases compliance for patients who need medications. “Twenty-first Century care involves technology; the 19th Century system doesn’t work, and you must maintain your relationship with your physician,” said Dr. Smith. “If there are changes down the road, your best friend will be your physician, who knows you, your medical history and how the system can help you.” After navigating more than 25 years of changes in the health insurance industry, Claudia Swink, director of individual business for Health Alliance Plan, says people should stay calm as the health care debate continues. “Only one thing is certain right now — nothing has changed yet,” said Swink. As a general rule, con-
See HEALTH
CARE page A-4
The Chronicle interviewed political analysts and veterans of Michigan politics, and they seemed to agree on at least one sentiment: Next year’s race for governor could turn into the proverbial mother of contentious gubernatorial contests in Michigan. One reason is that certain personalities with big names and deep pockets are circling the campaign pool, looking like bona fide candidates ready to dive in. And then there’s the specter of President Donald Trump. His participation in the election — from afar or stumping for a favored Republican on Michigan soil — almost certainly would energize the electorate. Observers say Trump’s involvement would ignite a strong pro-Trump reaction on one side and an equally intense anti-Trump reaction on the other. The gubernatorial showdown is also made combustible by issues such as the state’s deteriorating infrastructure, K-12 education, jobs, insurance rates and health care. Mario Morrow, a longtime political consultant and analyst, says that even from long distance (about a year away), the 2018 gubernatorial election looks electric. “I think it’s going to be a very exciting race on both sides of the fence,” said Morrow, who was an on-air political analyst with WDIV-TV for 15 years. He now owns Mario Morrow and Associates, LLC, which provides com-
munication, marketing strategies and crisis management to corporations and government agencies. The action started heating up in early May. While promising candidates typically make a splash by diving into races, the recent decision by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint Township) not to dive into the race has produced the biggest splash thus far. Kildee pointed to the need to continue important legislative fights in Congress as his reason for opting out of the Michigan gubernatorial fray. Morrow says the rigors of raising campaign dollars may have played a role in the Kildee decision as well. Westland Mayor Bill Wild is not mentioned as often as other potential Democratic candidates, but Morrow says Wild could do well because he tends to attract a cross-section of unionists, Democrats, independents and others. His successful business background also could be a draw. Meanwhile, attorney Mark Bernstein of the well-known Bernstein “First Family of Law” has delivered strong hints that he will run as well. If he does, Morrow said, Bernstein has the name recognition and financial muscle to be a factor. Still, Morrow predicts Bernstein will not run. “I don’t see that happening,” said Morrow. “His brother, Richard, is on the bench (elected to the Michigan Supreme Court), and these days, Mark is front-and-center as the leader and face of the law firm. Do you give up all that? I don’t see it happening.” Gretchen Whitmer is out front
See GOVERNOR'S
RACE page A-4