Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas is gifting more than $1.6 million to 17 community-based organizations all over the state to address social determinants of health like access, transportation, housing, and job opportunities.
Research continues to show that one’s healthcare is largely influenced by factors outside a hospital or doctor’s office, and for organizations who end up paying or providing healthcare to those who suffer from poor housing, food insecurity, or other determinants, investing in wellness through social factors is both a benefit to the community and the budget. BCBS of Texas and other organizations have continually made grants to statewide organizations as well as funded meal delivery plans to address these issues.
The funding will focus on connecting behavioral and physical health, people with special needs, improving capacity and providing collaborative care between providers and the community.
“As the state’s largest health insurer with a presence in 254 counties, we have a unique and big-picture perspective about social influencers that are affecting not only our members but Texans in general,” said Dr. Dan McCoy, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas via release. “We also have a responsibility to be actively involved with helping to change the trajectory for Texans when it comes to community health and those social and environmental conditions that prevent people from having healthy lives.
The following organizations will receive the grants:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.)
- PRISM Aids Arms
- Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic
- Spindletop Center
- El Centro de Corazón
- Coastal Plains Community Center
- Texas Parent to Parent
- Launchability/My Possibilities (Dallas)
- 29 Acres
- Easter Seals
- Hopeful Hearts
- V.E.L.A.
- United Way of Dallas
- Greater Houston HealthConnect
- Collaborative for Children
- Shriners Hospitals for Children(Galveston)
- Bexar County Community Health / The Health Collaborative
“These grants will support strategic partnerships with organizations that have a shared interest in creating communities of healthy Texans,” said Dr. Robert Morrow, who leads Community Investment for BCBSTX, and is President, Houston and Southeast Texas via release. “We know that impactful change occurs over time and is the result of strong collaboration, innovation and commitment. We look forward to seeing the impact of these investments on the communities we serve.”
