Central to the group’s recommendations is establishing a method for ensuring that all 70,000 people living in the area have access to a medical home – a comprehensive approach to providing community-based, patient-centered primary health care. An estimated 30,000 residents in the area – defined by zip codes 48207, 48213, 48214, and 48215 – do not have a personal physician. Many use hospital emergency facilities for primary and chronic care.

The East Side Planning Team which worked for a little more than a year, involves 22 hospital, health center, public health, and community representatives either based on the Near East Side, or having a significant interest in community health. It begins today, Oct. 1.