WELLPOINT AND CALIF. COMMISSIONER LAUNCH COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM:

WellPoint Inc. joined California Department of Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi in announcing the launch of a $35 million Community Clinics Grant Program. The program and its funding are a direct result of the merger between Anthem Inc. and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. completed last year. Its purpose is to provide funding for projects in community clinics that demonstrate an ability to expand and improve access to health care for the indigent, uninsured and underinsured who reside in California. “This $35 million investment in community clinics is one of several initiatives WellPoint is undertaking in order to address California’s health care needs,” said David Helwig, president and CEO of the West Region for WellPoint Inc. “We are beginning to create real solutions to the needs of the uninsured and underinsured populations in California.” Under the agreement with Commissioner Garamendi and Department of Managed Health Care Director Cindy Ehnes, the California Health Facilities Financing Authority will administer WellPoint’s $35 million contribution to the program. The CHFFA previously developed a model process in administering a similar program funded under the Cedillo-Alarcon Community Clinics Investment Act of 2000 and currently has the infrastructure to administer the program efficiently and effectively.

Topics California