Many local working families are just one step away from losing their health care, which makes Genesee Health Plan that much more important.

Like thousands of others in Genesee County, Bruce Smith depended on the auto industry to put food on the table. Then Smith lost the job he had for more than 30 years.

Smith, who lives in Clio, sold automobiles to local families. It was a decent living, but that all ended last summer when he was laid off, another victim of the declining auto industry.

“I was always a good, hard-working person,” Smith says.

Smith’s unemployment benefits were barely enough to cover basic living essentials. However, that wasn’t his biggest concern. What scared Smith most was how he was going to pay for the insulin doses needed to help treat his diabetes. He quickly ruled out COBRA benefits because they were simply too costly.

“I didn’t know what to do or how to get my insulin.” Smith says.

Finally, Smith called Genesee Health Plan. He was asked to immediately come in. He signed up for Plan B, got in to see a doctor and quickly received his insulin.

“I’d probably be dead right now if it weren’t for Genesee Health Plan,” Smith says, matter-of-factly. “My sugars are getting lower now. Genesee Health Plan really helped me out.”

Now that he’s healthier, Smith is out every day pounding the pavement to find work. So far he’s been unsuccessful, but he’s keeping his spirits up — even in this tough economy.

“The way the economy is, it makes it that much more important that the Genesee Health Plan is helping people like me who can’t afford to get their insulin or other medications,” Smith says. 

Smith offers fellow Genesee County residents the same advice he offers friends who are out of work and need basic health care: “Take the time and go down and visit the Genesee Health Plan. They’re out there to help you. They’re very polite and very professional. They take pride in what they do.”