What if there was a place in Dickinson and Iron counties where people could get health care benefits assistance at no cost? Fortunately, there is — the Medical Care Access Coalition has been providing these services since 2004 in both counties. Specific services include helping people choose the best possible Medicare drug plan, applying for Medicaid, prescription assistance and information and referral. MCAC serves more than 1,300 citizens annually in the two counties. The prescription assistance program saved residents more than $1.1 million in 2019. Unfortunately, these services will end in March 2021 due to lack of funding.

Dickinson and Iron counties have a millage, the Healthcare Benefits Assistance Millage Proposal, on the Nov. 3 ballot to keep these services available. It is for .10 of a mill, or 10 cents for every $1,000 in taxable property value. If passed, the local county boards would decide how these funds could best be used to provide health care benefits assistance in the two-county area. Please seriously consider voting yes on this proposal.

For people needing help with health care plan decisions or who cannot afford their prescription drugs, the MCAC office is in the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital and can be reached at 906-776-5412.