Blue Shield of California's Board of Directors Issues Statement on Racism and Injustice; Company Announces 'Day of Unity' Offered to All Blue Shield of California Employees

Blue Shield of California’s Board of Directors has issued the following statement affirming the company’s mission and commitment to equality:

“Blue Shield of California is committed to improving the health and lives of all Californians, both as an organization and as group of individuals who work daily to implement that commitment. Institutions or practices that treat some individuals as less than others because of their race are utterly inconsistent with our mission.  

African Americans and other people of color have systematically suffered discrimination and racism over the history of this country, and it has resulted in disparities across all institutions, including in health care. It is long past time for this to stop, and we commit to doing everything we can to dismantle barriers to equality in communities we serve and throughout our country.

The Board of Directors of Blue Shield of California is in full alignment with the leadership of the company, and of the Blue Shield of California Foundation, in their efforts to ensure a safe and inclusive community for all of our employees, members and other Californians.”

In addition to the Board’s statement, Blue Shield of California management announced that it will give all of its employees paid time off for healing, community outreach and participation in demonstrations to end racism.

The ‘June Day of Unity’ is being offered to employees between now and July 10. It is in addition to 24 hours of paid community service time the company offers its employees. The company has also offered to match $2 for every $1 employees donate this month to qualifying non-profit social justice organizations in California.