2009 Youth Health Fair :: News

Because he had no health insurance growing up, University of Michigan football player Andre Criswell put up with a shoulder injury until he got to U-M and was covered.

That's why the defensive lineman was happy to be among the Wolverines helping out at Packard Health's 32nd annual Be Well Block Party Wednesday.

"I had a lot of different injuries I had to fight through, or I would just use something over the counter,'' he said. "So this free health care fair is a really good idea.

''Local health professionals volunteered their time inside the health center providing free physicals for children and teens, immunizations, dental screenings and insurance enrollment. Outdoors, children enjoyed carnival-type games with an educational bent.

Sophia Barrett of Pittsfield Township brought her two sons, Justis, 10, and Ryan, 8, to the fair for free physicals.

Though the boys are insured as of this week through the state's MIChild program, Barrett is hoping to find a job with a health plan so she, too, will have insurance.

"Even then, it can be expensive,'' she said, as her boys happily got Criswell's autograph.

Staff members at Packard Health, a nonprofit family practice at 3174 Packard Road in Ann Arbor, are treating growing numbers of patients who don't have insurance through their employers, said Kim Kratz, executive director.

At the same time, she said, people with insurance sometimes forget that Packard Health offers care for everyone of all ages and income levels.

"We're reaching out to more and more insured people to spread the word that at Packard Health, they can get excellent care and at the same time, help other people get excellent care,'' said Kratz, noting that the revenue generated by payments from insurance companies helps pay for the care of those without.

For those without insurance, options include a sliding fee scale for those with limited incomes, or a 20 percent discount on regular fees paid in full at the time of service.

About 175 children attended the fair, and were especially interested in meeting the athletes as well as Miss Michigan, who had heard about the event and decided to make an appearance.

"It was great to be able to provide excellent care for these kids today,'' said Kratz, "and we enjoyed being active with them and the community.''