More than 73 million Americans are covered by Medicaid, making it the nation’s essential safety net, and two-thirds of those enrollees are served by Medicaid managed care plans. Medicaid managed care plans are continuously coming up with innovative solutions to provide Americans with the high-quality, cost-effective health care they need and deserve, never more so than during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. From improving health equity, to supporting vulnerable communities, to boosting access to care, Medicaid managed care is committed to enriching the lives of Americans and building a stronger future.
AmeriHealth Caritas awarded $160,000 in college scholarships to eight female students through its First Eight Scholarship for Women program. The merit and need-based program honors the first eight women elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicaid plan in Kentucky, along with the Anthem Foundation, invested $2 million in 2020 to address health disparities across Kentucky, especially among school-aged children. Anthem will work with Kentucky-based community organizations to fund programs intended to help educate individuals on issues including proper nutrition and mental health awareness.
Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, along with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, donated $100,000 to Detroit-based Gleaners Community Food Bank to address food insecurity. The donation will support two mobile, refrigerated fresh food transport vans to increase access to healthy food in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Monroe counties.
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan provided $100,000 in grants to distribute food to 10 community-based organizations in Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Blue Shield Promise is also providing another $50,000 in grants to 9 community-based organizations to help serve nutritious food to more than 3,500 low-income families.
Centene donated $500,000 to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is designed to help individuals affected by relationship abuse. The donation will help the 24-hour hotline support survivors of domestic abuse by providing referrals to mental health, legal, and economic resources.
Gateway Health Plan is contributing more than $1 million to support strategic community partnerships that focus on social determinants to health. Gateway’s donations will support efforts to reduce food insecurity as well as promote job training opportunities and education.
Inland Empire Health Plan awarded $8 million to 3 local universities and programs to fund medical school scholarships. Fifty students will receive scholarships thanks to the donation. Scholarship recipients must commit to practicing and serving in the Inland Empire area of Southern California for 5 years after graduation.
L.A. Care awarded $1 million in Equity and Resilience Initiative grants to community based organizations that serve racially marginalized communities in Los Angeles County. COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black and Latino communities, and the grants are intended to address that disparity. Each organization will receive up to $125,000 and organizational coaching from a capacity building consultant firm.
Medica launched several efforts to address racial inequities in the Twin Cities, including $750,000 in donations to minority-led and minority-focused organizations and community health centers. The grants are intended to support health and mental health needs, youth and family support, and food insecurity.
Molina Healthcare launched the MolinaCares Accord with an initial $150 million funding commitment. The Accord is focused on addressing inequities in both access to and delivery of health care, including racial disparities, social determinants of health, and opioid use disorder.