Independence supports community through COVID-19 pandemic with funding for vulnerable populations, vaccine access, and mental health awareness
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association today released its 2020-2021 Community Investment Report: Leading Through a Public Health Crisis. The report highlights the “all-in” approach from the 35 Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies to support response and recovery efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic—a historic, unprecedented public health crisis—including a collective investment of more than $11.5 billion.
Support from Independence Blue Cross and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation includes:
- Funding from the Foundation to the PHL COVID-19 Fund, which supports vulnerable populations and helps shore up community safety nets, such as food pantries and health services. The Foundation also awarded nearly $1M in grants for under-resourced communities.
- Launching and supporting vaccination sites across the region, including a mass vaccine initiative in collaboration with Rite Aid; Independence also transformed Independence LIVE into a vaccination site, vaccinating more than 20,000 people.
- Collaborating on several initiatives to increase vaccinations among underserved populations including the All Faiths Vaccination Campaign; support for the Black Doctor COVID-19 Consortium; and Latino Connection, which created the state’s first mobile response unit for COVID-19 testing, education, and vaccinations. (The IBC Foundation)
- Partnering with the City of Philadelphia on #mindPHL Together to promote public mental health resources and raise awareness around growing cases of anxiety and depression.
In total, BCBS companies collectively contributed more than $315 million to community-based nonprofits to address social issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about how BCBS companies are improving the health and wellness of members and their communities, view the report.
Media contact:
Ruth Stoolman
215-667-9537 (mobile)
Ruth.Stoolman@ibx.com