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The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Healthcare provider's collapse prompts reform demands
The viability of private healthcare is under the microscope following the collapse of a major hospital operator, with one union casting doubt on private equity management in the sector. Healthscope, which operates 37 hospitals across every state and territory, has vowed it will be business as usual for patients and staff after entering receivership. Unions called on governments to reassess the sustainability of the health system, including how public healthcare is funded and delivered within the private sector. "We don't want to see a sector governed by private equity firms like we have seen with Brookfields coming in and essentially leaving Healthscope in shatters," Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victoria branch acting secretary Maddy Harradence told AAP. "We know the private sector plays a really important piece in the broader healthcare system but we need them to be functioning, regulated and we need them to ensure a fair share of profits go back into the private hospital sector." The provider, owned by North American private equity firm Brookfield, said while the parent entity had entered receivership, the operational business - which runs the hospitals - had not. Anthony Scott, a professor of health economics at Monash University, says it is difficult to remain profitable in the private health sector due to workforce shortages, the cost of living and rising supply costs. "It's one of those things where it's been very hard to maintain its profits over time," he told AAP. Prof Scott said it would be important to assess how private hospitals are funded moving forward, along with managing contracts with private health insurers. The federal government confirmed on Monday that taxpayers would not be footing the bill for the healthcare provider. Health Minister Mark Butler said the provider would be a "very different beast going forward in terms of the ownership". Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the state needed a strong private health system to complement the public system. "I am confident that we will be able to meet the needs of all Victorians and that there is simply, at this point, no need to be concerned," she told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday. In 2022 the Victorian government took over two Healthscope facilities, Frankston Private and Bellbird Private Hospital, to assist with the increased pandemic demand for healthcare and elective surgery services. Ms Thomas said the state government had been watching the ailing company for some time. Healthscope operates the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, Hobart Private Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital and Knox Private Hospital in Melbourne. The viability of private healthcare is under the microscope following the collapse of a major hospital operator, with one union casting doubt on private equity management in the sector. Healthscope, which operates 37 hospitals across every state and territory, has vowed it will be business as usual for patients and staff after entering receivership. Unions called on governments to reassess the sustainability of the health system, including how public healthcare is funded and delivered within the private sector. "We don't want to see a sector governed by private equity firms like we have seen with Brookfields coming in and essentially leaving Healthscope in shatters," Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victoria branch acting secretary Maddy Harradence told AAP. "We know the private sector plays a really important piece in the broader healthcare system but we need them to be functioning, regulated and we need them to ensure a fair share of profits go back into the private hospital sector." The provider, owned by North American private equity firm Brookfield, said while the parent entity had entered receivership, the operational business - which runs the hospitals - had not. Anthony Scott, a professor of health economics at Monash University, says it is difficult to remain profitable in the private health sector due to workforce shortages, the cost of living and rising supply costs. "It's one of those things where it's been very hard to maintain its profits over time," he told AAP. Prof Scott said it would be important to assess how private hospitals are funded moving forward, along with managing contracts with private health insurers. The federal government confirmed on Monday that taxpayers would not be footing the bill for the healthcare provider. Health Minister Mark Butler said the provider would be a "very different beast going forward in terms of the ownership". Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the state needed a strong private health system to complement the public system. "I am confident that we will be able to meet the needs of all Victorians and that there is simply, at this point, no need to be concerned," she told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday. In 2022 the Victorian government took over two Healthscope facilities, Frankston Private and Bellbird Private Hospital, to assist with the increased pandemic demand for healthcare and elective surgery services. Ms Thomas said the state government had been watching the ailing company for some time. Healthscope operates the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, Hobart Private Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital and Knox Private Hospital in Melbourne. The viability of private healthcare is under the microscope following the collapse of a major hospital operator, with one union casting doubt on private equity management in the sector. Healthscope, which operates 37 hospitals across every state and territory, has vowed it will be business as usual for patients and staff after entering receivership. Unions called on governments to reassess the sustainability of the health system, including how public healthcare is funded and delivered within the private sector. "We don't want to see a sector governed by private equity firms like we have seen with Brookfields coming in and essentially leaving Healthscope in shatters," Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victoria branch acting secretary Maddy Harradence told AAP. "We know the private sector plays a really important piece in the broader healthcare system but we need them to be functioning, regulated and we need them to ensure a fair share of profits go back into the private hospital sector." The provider, owned by North American private equity firm Brookfield, said while the parent entity had entered receivership, the operational business - which runs the hospitals - had not. Anthony Scott, a professor of health economics at Monash University, says it is difficult to remain profitable in the private health sector due to workforce shortages, the cost of living and rising supply costs. "It's one of those things where it's been very hard to maintain its profits over time," he told AAP. Prof Scott said it would be important to assess how private hospitals are funded moving forward, along with managing contracts with private health insurers. The federal government confirmed on Monday that taxpayers would not be footing the bill for the healthcare provider. Health Minister Mark Butler said the provider would be a "very different beast going forward in terms of the ownership". Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the state needed a strong private health system to complement the public system. "I am confident that we will be able to meet the needs of all Victorians and that there is simply, at this point, no need to be concerned," she told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday. In 2022 the Victorian government took over two Healthscope facilities, Frankston Private and Bellbird Private Hospital, to assist with the increased pandemic demand for healthcare and elective surgery services. Ms Thomas said the state government had been watching the ailing company for some time. Healthscope operates the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, Hobart Private Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital and Knox Private Hospital in Melbourne. The viability of private healthcare is under the microscope following the collapse of a major hospital operator, with one union casting doubt on private equity management in the sector. Healthscope, which operates 37 hospitals across every state and territory, has vowed it will be business as usual for patients and staff after entering receivership. Unions called on governments to reassess the sustainability of the health system, including how public healthcare is funded and delivered within the private sector. "We don't want to see a sector governed by private equity firms like we have seen with Brookfields coming in and essentially leaving Healthscope in shatters," Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victoria branch acting secretary Maddy Harradence told AAP. "We know the private sector plays a really important piece in the broader healthcare system but we need them to be functioning, regulated and we need them to ensure a fair share of profits go back into the private hospital sector." The provider, owned by North American private equity firm Brookfield, said while the parent entity had entered receivership, the operational business - which runs the hospitals - had not. Anthony Scott, a professor of health economics at Monash University, says it is difficult to remain profitable in the private health sector due to workforce shortages, the cost of living and rising supply costs. "It's one of those things where it's been very hard to maintain its profits over time," he told AAP. Prof Scott said it would be important to assess how private hospitals are funded moving forward, along with managing contracts with private health insurers. The federal government confirmed on Monday that taxpayers would not be footing the bill for the healthcare provider. Health Minister Mark Butler said the provider would be a "very different beast going forward in terms of the ownership". Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the state needed a strong private health system to complement the public system. "I am confident that we will be able to meet the needs of all Victorians and that there is simply, at this point, no need to be concerned," she told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday. In 2022 the Victorian government took over two Healthscope facilities, Frankston Private and Bellbird Private Hospital, to assist with the increased pandemic demand for healthcare and elective surgery services. Ms Thomas said the state government had been watching the ailing company for some time. Healthscope operates the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, Hobart Private Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital and Knox Private Hospital in Melbourne.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Healthcare provider's collapse prompts reform demands
The viability of private healthcare is under the microscope following the collapse of a major hospital operator, with one union casting doubt on private equity management in the sector. Healthscope, which operates 37 hospitals across every state and territory, has vowed it will be business as usual for patients and staff after entering receivership. Unions called on governments to reassess the sustainability of the health system, including how public healthcare is funded and delivered within the private sector. "We don't want to see a sector governed by private equity firms like we have seen with Brookfields coming in and essentially leaving Healthscope in shatters," Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation's Victoria branch acting secretary Maddy Harradence told AAP. "We know the private sector plays a really important piece in the broader healthcare system but we need them to be functioning, regulated and we need them to ensure a fair share of profits go back into the private hospital sector." Healthscope on Monday was handed a $100 million funding lifeline from the Commonwealth Bank, while Westpac agreed to continue to provide assistance to help receivers sell the business. The provider, owned by North American private equity firm Brookfield, said while the parent entity had entered receivership, the operational business - which runs the hospitals - had not. Anthony Scott, a professor of health economics at Monash University, says it is difficult to remain profitable in the private health sector due to workforce shortages, the cost of living and rising supply costs. "It's one of those things where it's been very hard to maintain its profits over time," he told AAP. Prof Scott said it would be important to assess how private hospitals are funded moving forward, along with managing contracts with private health insurers. The federal government confirmed on Monday that taxpayers would not be footing the bill for the healthcare provider. Health Minister Mark Butler said the provider would be a "very different beast going forward in terms of the ownership". Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the state needed a strong private health system to complement the public system. "I am confident that we will be able to meet the needs of all Victorians and that there is simply, at this point, no need to be concerned," she told reporters at state parliament on Tuesday. In 2022 the Victorian government took over two Healthscope facilities, Frankston Private and Bellbird Private Hospital, to assist with the increased pandemic demand for healthcare and elective surgery services. Ms Thomas said the state government had been watching the ailing company for some time. Healthscope operates the Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney, Hobart Private Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital and Knox Private Hospital in Melbourne.
ABC News
7 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Healthscope collapse raises questions about the viability of private hospitals
The collapse of Australia's second largest private hospital group is an early warning sign for the financial viability of private hospitals, a health policy expert says. Healthscope's network of 37 private hospitals treat about 650,000 Australians each year and employ about 19,000 staff nationally. Owned by the Canadian-American investment firm Brookfield, the indebted operator fell into receivership on Monday after its syndicate of banks and hedge funds withdrew support. It appointed corporate restructuring firm McGrathNicol as receiver and promised patients and staff it would keep its hospitals open. Yet the collapse of a major hospital care provider has raised questions about the financially viability of Australia's private health sector. Although Federal Health Minister Mark Butler described Healthscope's struggle as "unique," he recognised there were "challenges" for the profitability of private hospitals. Meanwhile, Monash University Professor of Health Economics, Anthony Scott, said the collapse of the business is a signal that the private health sector may shrink. Dr Scott said private hospital operators were struggling to maintain profitability due to workforce shortages and higher costs of supplies and equipment. This has put operators at loggerheads with health insurers that fund the system but do not want to charge customers more. "Hospitals want more money for the increased activity and costs of providing their services," Dr Scott said. "Whereas health insurers, particularly the for-profit health insurers, want to keep premiums down for members so that they're profitable too." The tension between the two became evident in September 2024 when Healthscope threatened to end agreements with private health insurers. Healthscope owner Brookfield still owes $1.6 billion to lenders and has been unable to pay to keep operating its facilities, including Sydney's Northern Beaches Hospital. "There is a general feeling in the sector that it's hard to make money from private hospitals at the moment," Dr Scott said. He added the drop in private insurance memberships and knock-on effects of the Covid pandemic are continuing to put pressure on the private health sector. Speaking at a media conference on Monday, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler admitted "there are some viability challenges to private hospitals as a sector". "That's why a couple of months ago I announced my expectation to insurers that they would lift the benefit payments ratios," he said. "But I think people who observe this part of our healthcare system understand that Healthscope and its ownership structure ... is something of a unique case." Still, Professor Scott said Healthscope's collapse shows that private equity firms do not see hospitals as financially viable. "It's an important issue, particularly when costs are increasing and profits are not to be made, but then again some people might argue that you shouldn't make profits from health." The latest figures show about half of all hospitals in Australia are private, and of these 62 per cent are for-profit, while the rest are run by not-for-profit organisations. Dr Scott said non-profits like St Vincent's were "more likely to weather the storm" of the cost-of-living challenges because of their ownership structures. This means the collapse of Healthscope does not necessarily spell the beginning of the end of the sector. "Private hospitals might still exist, but they might be on a smaller footprint because they will have to close parts of their services to keep costs down," Dr Scott said. "Remember some maternity units have closed in recent years." Healthscope chief executive Tino La Spina said it is "business-as-usual" and all 37 of the operator's private hospitals would remain open during the receivership. Healthscope said it has a current cash balance of $110 million to keep the business running, with the Commonwealth Bank offering an additional $100 million in loan funding. "There is no interruption to the outstanding care we provide. Our incredible teams are all working as normal, providing the high standard of care they always have," Mr La Spina said. "The additional funding, while we do not anticipate it being required, provides additional support." Minister Butler said there would be no taxpayer bailout, with Healthscope having enough funds for "several months of operations" as it goes through an "orderly stable process of the sale". While he did not say what would happen if the money ran out before all the hospitals find new owners, he did say a "disorderly" process would have an effect. Dr Scott added public hospitals were already under a lot of pressure too, with health policy rhetoric in recent years shifting toward strengthening primary care to lower demand. "In the next year or so, we're going to see the same issues from public hospitals wanting more money from the government," he said. "[The rhetoric] is all about preventing people from going into the hospital in the first place, but a lot of those policies are not in place yet." He suggested revisiting the regulation of prices and contract negotiations between private hospitals and private health insurers could potentially help the private hospital sector to be more efficient. "The funding models would need to be looked at in the long-term to ensure the sustainability of the whole hospital sector, not just private hospitals." Healthscope runs the 37 facilities listed below. NSW Victoria Queensland South Australia Western Australia Tasmania ACT Northern Territory
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Business news: Fifteen firefighters graduate from MAAC
Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott named Trooper Kaylee G. Galvan the 2024 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year, the first time a female has gotten the award, according to a release. Galvan is a two-year Trooper and in 2024, was a midnight unit assigned to the Lowell District's Zone 1. In 2024, Galvan had 1,868 total traffic contacts (1,129 citations and 739 warnings), 154 criminal defendants, 484 criminal charges, 80 felony charges, 118 O.W.I. arrests, 22 felony O.W.I. arrests, 95 crash investigations, 181 police services, and conducted 91 vehicle searches. Galvan also worked special project hours (overtime shifts) resulting in 188 traffic contacts with 123 citations and 65 warnings, 21 criminal defendants, 54 criminal charges, 18 O.W.I. arrests, and 1 felony O.W.I. arrest. Also at the awards ceremony, Galvan received the 2024 Life Award in recognition for exceeding expectations by removing 118 impaired drivers off Indiana roadways in 2024. Dr. Amit Kumar, an interventional cardiologist, recently joined the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer and Munster, a release said. Kumar completed medical school at All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, India. His residency in internal medicine was completed at State University of New York at Buffalo. His fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology was completed at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. His fellowship in vascular and endovascular medicine was completed at Brown University Health in Providence, Rhode Island. He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Medical Pavilion South, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 400 in Dyer and Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology, 701 Superior Ave., Suite J, in Munster. Call 219-865-0893 (Dyer) or 219-934-4080 (Munster). The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded $163,385 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations as part of its spring Community Fund grant cycle, a release said. The following organizations and programs are receiving funding: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to support the renovation of the Portage Club kitchen and concession stand Call-A-Ride – $10,000 to support the purchase of a new ADA van The Caring Place – $5,750 to support strategic planning Chicago Street Theatre – $2,200 to support the purchase of wireless microphones Dunes Learning Center – $10,000 to support the replacement of bunk bed mattresses Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited – $2,120.65 to support the purchase of horse saddles for therapeutic riding Family & Youth Services Bureau – $9,108 to support water leak mitigation and repairs Family House – $10,000 to support replacement of the front porch and entrance Gabriel's Horn – $2,940 to support implementation of a post-shelter transition program Hagrid's Hope Cat Rescue – $2,500 to support spay and neuter procedures for rescued cats Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation – $9,816 to support a developmental milestone training program for teachers and caregivers Lakeshore Public Media – $10,000 to support Building Blocks, a multimedia project exploring the science of early childhood development MAAC Foundation – $5,000 to support the expansion of mental health initiative programming for first responders MAKS Corp. – $10,000 to support the provision of critical resources to local foster children Memorial Opera House Foundation – $5,000 to support accessibility in the dressing rooms Our Greater Good – $3,950 to support parenting programs Portage Recovery Association – $10,000 to support the transformation of their new substance recovery and mental health facility Portage Township Autism Action Coalition – $10,000 to support autism training for first responders, sensory kits, and resources Porter County Aging and Community Services – $5,000 to support individuals and families facing unexpected crises Reins of Life – $5,000 to support the purchase of a horse carriage for equine-assisted programs Shirley Heinze Land Trust – $10,000 to support technology upgrades Shults Lewis Child & Family Services – $5,000 to support facility renovation and modernization St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center – $5,000 to support repairs of the fire protection and suppression system Valpo Parks Foundation – $5,000 to support 2030 Vision, a strategic planning initiative. The next Community Fund grant cycle will open in July with an application deadline of Aug. 15. More information is available online at In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation recently announced that 15 new firefighters will graduate from the Career Fire Academy. at 6 p.m. May 2 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso, according to a release. The 15 graduates, representing the Portage, Whiting, Dyer, LaPorte and Michigan City fire departments have completed an 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills. Graduates include: Levi Thurmond, Andrew Himan, Evan Shaughnessy, Justin Morgan, Caiden Mowery, Evan Kuehl, Julia Simition, Malachi Kristoffand Mitchell Bleck, Portage Fire Department; Dennis Hensley, Whiting Fire Department; Tyler Marick, Dyer Fire Department; Owen Barsic, LaPorte Fire Department; Phillip Baker, Kody Stroud and Josiah Griffin, Michigan City Fire Department. For more information about the MAAC Foundation, visit Franciscan Health's Social Impact Partnership Program is opening applications for funding to support healthcare-related programs for nonprofit health and human service organizations in at-risk communities, a release said. Funding applications will be accepted from May 5-30. Partner agencies will be announced in mid-July. Organizations may apply for up to $10,000 in monetary support. Organizations may complete an application online starting May 5. Serving populations most in need and in accordance with Franciscan's mission should be the focus of supported activities, the release said. These include people who have endured systemic racism; refugees and immigrants; the chronically low resourced; at-risk youth and others impacted by poor societal supports. For additional information or application support, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Director Danielle Crowder at
Chicago Tribune
04-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Business news: Fifteen firefighters graduate from MAAC
Lowell Trooper Named 2024 Trooper of the Year Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott named Trooper Kaylee G. Galvan the 2024 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year, the first time a female has gotten the award, according to a release. Galvan is a two-year Trooper and in 2024, was a midnight unit assigned to the Lowell District's Zone 1. In 2024, Galvan had 1,868 total traffic contacts (1,129 citations and 739 warnings), 154 criminal defendants, 484 criminal charges, 80 felony charges, 118 O.W.I. arrests, 22 felony O.W.I. arrests, 95 crash investigations, 181 police services, and conducted 91 vehicle searches. Galvan also worked special project hours (overtime shifts) resulting in 188 traffic contacts with 123 citations and 65 warnings, 21 criminal defendants, 54 criminal charges, 18 O.W.I. arrests, and 1 felony O.W.I. arrest. Also at the awards ceremony, Galvan received the 2024 Life Award in recognition for exceeding expectations by removing 118 impaired drivers off Indiana roadways in 2024. Cardiologist joins Franciscan in Dyer, Munster Dr. Amit Kumar, an interventional cardiologist, recently joined the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer and Munster, a release said. Kumar completed medical school at All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, India. His residency in internal medicine was completed at State University of New York at Buffalo. His fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology was completed at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. His fellowship in vascular and endovascular medicine was completed at Brown University Health in Providence, Rhode Island. He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Medical Pavilion South, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 400 in Dyer and Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology, 701 Superior Ave., Suite J, in Munster. Call 219-865-0893 (Dyer) or 219-934-4080 (Munster). Foundation awards $163K to Porter County groups The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded $163,385 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations as part of its spring Community Fund grant cycle, a release said. The following organizations and programs are receiving funding: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to support the renovation of the Portage Club kitchen and concession stand Call-A-Ride – $10,000 to support the purchase of a new ADA van The Caring Place – $5,750 to support strategic planning Chicago Street Theatre – $2,200 to support the purchase of wireless microphones Dunes Learning Center – $10,000 to support the replacement of bunk bed mattresses Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited – $2,120.65 to support the purchase of horse saddles for therapeutic riding Family & Youth Services Bureau – $9,108 to support water leak mitigation and repairs Family House – $10,000 to support replacement of the front porch and entrance Gabriel's Horn – $2,940 to support implementation of a post-shelter transition program Hagrid's Hope Cat Rescue – $2,500 to support spay and neuter procedures for rescued cats Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation – $9,816 to support a developmental milestone training program for teachers and caregivers Lakeshore Public Media – $10,000 to support Building Blocks, a multimedia project exploring the science of early childhood development MAAC Foundation – $5,000 to support the expansion of mental health initiative programming for first responders MAKS Corp. – $10,000 to support the provision of critical resources to local foster children Memorial Opera House Foundation – $5,000 to support accessibility in the dressing rooms Our Greater Good – $3,950 to support parenting programs Portage Recovery Association – $10,000 to support the transformation of their new substance recovery and mental health facility Portage Township Autism Action Coalition – $10,000 to support autism training for first responders, sensory kits, and resources Porter County Aging and Community Services – $5,000 to support individuals and families facing unexpected crises Reins of Life – $5,000 to support the purchase of a horse carriage for equine-assisted programs Shirley Heinze Land Trust – $10,000 to support technology upgrades Shults Lewis Child & Family Services – $5,000 to support facility renovation and modernization St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center – $5,000 to support repairs of the fire protection and suppression system Valpo Parks Foundation – $5,000 to support 2030 Vision, a strategic planning initiative. The next Community Fund grant cycle will open in July with an application deadline of Aug. 15. More information is available online at MAAC to graduate 15 firefighters In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation recently announced that 15 new firefighters will graduate from the Career Fire Academy. at 6 p.m. May 2 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso, according to a release. The 15 graduates, representing the Portage, Whiting, Dyer, LaPorte and Michigan City fire departments have completed an 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills. Graduates include: Levi Thurmond, Andrew Himan, Evan Shaughnessy, Justin Morgan, Caiden Mowery, Evan Kuehl, Julia Simition, Malachi Kristoffand Mitchell Bleck, Portage Fire Department; Dennis Hensley, Whiting Fire Department; Tyler Marick, Dyer Fire Department; Owen Barsic, LaPorte Fire Department; Phillip Baker, Kody Stroud and Josiah Griffin, Michigan City Fire Department. For more information about the MAAC Foundation, visit Social impact program funding applications open May 5 Franciscan Health's Social Impact Partnership Program is opening applications for funding to support healthcare-related programs for nonprofit health and human service organizations in at-risk communities, a release said. Funding applications will be accepted from May 5-30. Partner agencies will be announced in mid-July. Organizations may apply for up to $10,000 in monetary support. Organizations may complete an application online starting May 5. Serving populations most in need and in accordance with Franciscan's mission should be the focus of supported activities, the release said. These include people who have endured systemic racism; refugees and immigrants; the chronically low resourced; at-risk youth and others impacted by poor societal supports. For additional information or application support, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Director Danielle Crowder at
