Blue Shield of California Foundation Awards $4.25 Million to Nonprofits Statewide

$127,000 will go to Orange County CaliforniaKids Program

San Francisco, February 23, 2006 – The Blue Shield of California Foundation today announced grants of $4.25 million designed to help the uninsured, combat domestic violence and advance the use of technology to improve access to quality health care. Of the grants, $127,000 will be directed to the CaliforniaKids Healthcare Foundation in Orange County to help maintain health coverage for 400 children.

"These grants build on our strong track record of supporting organizations and programs throughout the state that are doing excellent work in improving the health of Californians," said Crystal Hayling, president of Blue Shield of California Foundation. "Our partnership with local nonprofits strengthens the safety net for our state’s most vulnerable residents by increasing the quality and accessibility of health care and related services."

The CaliforniaKids program provides subsidized primary health care services for low-income children. The program was started in 1992 and has served more than 62,000 children throughout the state.

As one of the leading healthcare grant makers in the state, the Blue Shield of California Foundation anticipates donating a total of $30 million statewide in 2006.

Blue Shield of California Foundation was formed by Blue Shield of California, a not forprofit corporation with more than 3.2 million members, 4,300 employees and 20 offices throughout California. The Blue Shield of California Foundation provides charitable contributions, conducts research and supports programs with an emphasis on domestic violence prevention, medical technology assessment and reducing the number of uninsured. For more information, visit the Blue Shield of California Web site at www.mylifepath.com or the Foundation at www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.