Public forum to focus on health concerns

In this election year, no topic is more discussed than health care. For those tired of listening to commentators, it's your turn to talk.

The Missouri Foundation for Health will hold a public forum in Glenn Auditorium at Southeast Missouri State University at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The organization wants to hear what the community is thinking about health care.

"This is going to be an open microphone," said Heather McClurg, director of communications for MFH. "We want to hear from people in the area about their health-care needs."

The MFH was formed in January 2000 as part of an agreement between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, the Missouri Department of Insurance and the attorney general. Its mandate is to identify existing public and private health-care services for the uninsured and underinsured within the 84 counties formerly covered by BCBS of Missouri. It is the largest health-care foundation in the state. In its first year of grantmaking, MFH distributed over $32.5 million to community organizations.

"We target nonprofit organizations doing health-related work," said McClurg. The open-mic forum will be preceded by a grantwriting workshop where organizations can learn how to apply for MFH aid.

One speaking reservation has already been made for Tuesday's forum. Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way, and Kay Azuna, community developer for the Community Caring Council, will present their views and their recent findings through the Community Assessment Partnership.

The partnership recently released the results of a survey of the major problems facing the area. The top priorities were transportation, accessible medical care -- including dentistry and mental health -- drug and alcohol abuse, and family issues such as child abuse and neglect.

"Our only resources are these federal and state grants," Jernigan said. "The MFH is a real blessing, with billions of dollars in assets. People need to come out to make them aware of needs."

trehagen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137