TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- It's a tough decision to go without health insurance and as the unemployment rate rises, it seems to be the only option for many people in Northern Michigan.

But thanks to several grants from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, many free clinics across the state will be expanding their services.

Including Traverse Health Clinic which, among other services, will focus on providing patients with much needed dental care and procedures.

Rene Louchart, Dental Health Director for Traverse Health Clinic said, "We currently have 37 volunteer dentists that we refer our patients to for care. This grant was written to help us expand access and help alleviate the burden on our volunteer dentists as well."

With so few clinics and hospitals in Northern Michigan; these free clinics are even more importatnt to local communities as they provide services and care to the uninsured and underinsured that larger facilities can't.