Blue Shield’s total Foundation contributions surpass $450 Million since 2002
SAN FRANCISCO (February 2, 2017) --- Blue Shield of California has contributed $30 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation to support its work to strengthen the healthcare safety net and end domestic violence.
The nonprofit health plan has now given more than $450 million to the Foundation’s mission of improving the lives of all Californians, particularly the underserved, by making health care accessible, effective, and affordable, and by ending domestic violence. The Foundation is an independent organization funded entirely by contributions from Blue Shield. Through grantmaking to nonprofit organizations, research, and convening, the Foundation is advancing health and safety for the most vulnerable Californians.
This contribution made in December 2016 exceeds the annual $14 million requirement contained in the health plan’s agreement with the Department of Managed Health Care to acquire Care1st in 2015.
“The Foundation is an essential ally to Blue Shield and its effort to ensure access to quality, affordable health care,” said Peter Long, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. “We are proud to partner with organizations rooted in our communities that are testing new approaches in order to improve the lives of all Californians.”
In the past decade, the Foundation has funded nearly every community health center and domestic violence agency in California; developed and funded leadership training programs for hundreds of community health center and domestic violence organization leaders; and, helped community health centers and public hospitals coordinate care within the new healthcare reform environment.
“As a nonprofit health plan, we have an obligation to our members and customers to use their premium dollars in ways that increase access to affordable, high-quality health care,” said Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California. “One of the ways we do this is by supporting the Foundation’s work to strengthen California’s healthcare safety net and help end domestic violence.”
Contact: Clinton McGue, 415-229-5359, media@blueshieldca.com
About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a nonprofit health plan with 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $13 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company’s mission is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality care at an affordable price. Blue Shield has contributed more than $450 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation. Contact your local agent or broker about Blue Shield of California products and services, or visit www.blueshieldca.com.
About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the state's largest and most trusted grantmaking organizations. Our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians, particularly the underserved, by making health care accessible, effective, and affordable, and by ending domestic violence. For more information, visit: www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.
