FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Julie Burns
(617) 246-3361
[email protected]
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation Awards $1.3 Million in Grants to Break Down Barriers Faced by Health Consumers
BOSTON – October 31, 2013 – The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation has awarded $1.3 million in grants to 26 community organizations across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts whose missions are dedicated to promoting accessible and affordable health care for vulnerable and low-income residents. The grants range from $40,000 to $75,000 per year for two years.
"With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) underway, the Foundation’s support of organizations on the front lines is more important than ever,” said Audrey Shelto, President. “These organizations all have a clear strategy to impact access or affordability, a history of collaboration with other groups on important issues such as the state’s dual eligibles initiative, Chapter 224, and strong track records in consumer engagement and support. We are pleased to renew many of our prior grantees and welcome the Codman Square Health Center, Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions, Community Health Programs, Inc. and the Fishing Partnership Health Plan to the cohort.”
The grants were made in two of the Foundation’s program areas, Connecting Consumers with Care and Strengthening the Voice for Access, both of which were implemented in 2001 when the Foundation first began its grant making efforts.
Connecting Consumers with Care provides up to two years of programmatic support to organizations that are engaged in comprehensive outreach and enrollment services, an enhanced approach to educating consumers on effective navigation of the health care system, and strategic collaboration with the advocacy community to identify and address barriers that prevent consumers from easily accessing coverage and care.
Strengthening the Voice for Access provides up to two years of core operating support to organizations that are strengthening community-based policy activities, increasing citizen participation in public policy development, and promoting collaboration among statewide policy and advocacy organizations on coverage and affordability.
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About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
The mission of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is to expand access to health care. It focuses on collaborating with public and private stakeholders to develop measurable and sustainable solutions that benefit uninsured, vulnerable, and low-income individuals and families in the Commonwealth. The Foundation was established in 2001 with an endowment from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. It operates separately from the company and is governed by its own Board of Directors.
BCBSMA Foundation 2013 Grants – Connecting Consumers with Care & Strengthening the Voice for Access
Connecting Consumers with Care:
Boston Public Health Commission
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center
Codman Square Health Center
Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and Islands
Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire, & North Quabbin Regions
Community Health Center of Franklin County
Community Health Connections
Community Health Programs
County of Dukes County/Vineyard Health Care Access Program
Ecu-Health Care
Family Health Center of Worcester
Fishing Partnership Health Plan
Hilltown Community Health Centers
Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett
Lynn Community Health Center
Whittier Street Health Center
Connecting Consumers with Care Funding Total: $640,000
Strengthening the Voice for Access:
Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL)
Disability Policy Consortium, Inc. (DPC)
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO)
Health Care for All (HCFA)
Health Law Advocates (HLA)
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI)
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA)
Massachusetts Senior Action Council
Strengthening the Voice for Access Funding Total: $695,000
