http://www.bluewaterchamber.comNews related to Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce(c) 2013, Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce All Rights Reserved.5Medicaid Expansion: The Right Thing for Businesses, Community Legislators in Michigan have an important decision to make. By expanding the Medicaid program, they will make basic, cost-effective health care services available to those who would otherwise go without. Although endorsed by Governor Rick Snyder and supported by many organizations, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan is in jeopardy of leaving billions of dollars on the table, walking away from enhanced healthcare across the state and in our community for uninsured working households, and potentially creating financial penalties for Michigan businesses. It is the right thing to do for business and the local economy. Healthy citizens have improved quality of life and contribute more to the economy. Improving Medicaid expansion would allow St. Clair County to strengthen its workforce as more unemployed, underemployed and working poor have access to healthcare. Without expansion, Michigan will continue to see high numbers of uninsured seeking uncompensated care; the cost of which is shifted to businesses, as well as to insured families who end up paying more in health care premiums. Medicaid expansion is also crucial to the financial security of our local hospitals, which not only provide vital services but needed jobs in the community. In fact, all three hospitals rank among the largest employers in St. Clair County, and Medicaid expansion is projected to improve the jobs forecast in health-related careers. It is by far the right thing to do for patients. It's estimated that expansion will provide insurance to 450,000 uninsured adults in Michigan, including nearly 11,000 residents in St. Clair and Sanilac counties alone. According to a New England Journal of Medicine study published in September 2012, state Medicaid expansions to cover low-income adults were significantly associated with improved health status and reduced mortality. Finally, it's the right thing to do for the state budget. As the federal government will finance 100 percent of expansion through 2016, 90 percent through 2010 and thereafter, the financial commitment of expansion to the state is minimal. It has been estimated that Michigan is expected to see about $1 billion in savings if Medicaid is expanded -- enough to fund expansion for the next 20 years without using any state general funds. The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce supports our legislators approving Medicaid expansion in the state's FY2014 budget. Please visit the www.ExpandMedicaid.com website to learn more about this important expansion, and join us in urging our state representatives to expand Medicaid and save Michigan money and lives. Sincerely Vickie R. Fournier, President and CEO, Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce HTTP://WWW.BLUEWATERCHAMBER.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=200Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 GMTMEDIA RELEASE Vickie R. Fournier, President and CEO Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce 512 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-7101 St. Clair County businesses and communities demonstrate appreciation for Canadian neighbours Since the economic impact study published in 2009 by the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Clair County, passenger travel has increased over the Blue Water Bridge, new technology has been implemented to improve efficiency at customs and border patrol, and the Canadian goverment increased customs allowances, all which have improved the economic climate throughout the Blue Water area. For retailers in Fort Gratiot, Canadian shoppers make up over half of their sales. Shoppers attribute a larger variety of products, low cost brand names, less expensive gas, and large chain stores and restaurants as incentives to shop in the area. Now, businesses are stepping up even more to demonstrate their appreciation for our Canadian neighbours, with exclusive discounts and promotions on Monday, May 20, during Canadian Appreciation Day. Several community groupsand local municipalities are organizing the event. and The Fort Gratiot Business Association will place U.S. and Canadian flags in front of businesses and posters, flyers, and table signs have been created. Businesses that want to offer a discount or special promotion on this during or over the weekend, or receive flyers may contact Tina Frazer at EDA, (810) 982-9511 or visit http://www.facebook.com/canadianappreciationday.HTTP://WWW.BLUEWATERCHAMBER.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=196Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMTMEDIA RELEASE Vickie R. Fournier, President and CEO Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce 512 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-7101 Business Leaders For Michigan to present Michigan Turnaround Plan to Port Huron The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce and COMPASS Christian Business Alliance will co-host their first joint event on Thursday, May 23, when Business Leaders For Michigan President and CEO, Doug Rothwell comes to Port Huron to present the Michigan Turnaround Plan 2013: The Road to the New Michigan. A luncheon and presentation will be held at Black River Golf Club from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Cost to attend is $20, or $120 for a corporate table (8). Registration is available online at www.bluewaterchamber.com or by calling COMPASS, (810) 966-8660. Business Leaders For Michigan is one of Michigan's leading business-based organizations, consisting exclusively of the CEOs and senior executives from the state's largest job providers. Doug Rothwell has worked as an executive in the public, private and non-profit sectors have worked for three state Governors and two Fortune 500 companies. In his role as president and CEO, he leads private-sector efforts to grow the Michigan economy. He currently serves as the Chair of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For event details and to register, visit, http://www.bluewaterchamber.com/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=4847HTTP://WWW.BLUEWATERCHAMBER.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=195Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMTChamber will host 75th Annual Golf Scramble at Marysville Golf Course on June 26 The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Committee will host its 75th annual "Drive Fore Success" Golf Scramble at Marysville Golf Course on Wednesday, June 16, 2013. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with tee off at 1 p.m. Main Event Sponsors are E&A Credit Union and SEMCO Energy Gas Company. The golf scramble is a social networking and fundraising event for the chamber and proceeds help to provide the chamber with funds that support its daily downtown welcome center and business advocacy, education and assistance services. The Chamber is solely supported by members' annual investments. "Our goal is to have 36 teams out for a full day of networking and fun. Business has been fostered on the course for decades and its an event our members look forward to every year," said Vickie Fournier, President of the chamber. Sponsors and teams are encouraged to register online at http://www.bluewaterchamber.com/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=4558. Individual golfers may also register and will be paired with other individuals. A barbeque and prize party will be held from 6-7 p.m. and attendees can register just for the after hours event if they choose. For more details, contact the chamber at (180) 985-7101.HTTP://WWW.BLUEWATERCHAMBER.COM/CWT/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=188Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT