Blue Shield of California Foundation Gives $8.9 Million Additional Funding to California’s Healthcare Safety Net and Domestic Violence Providers

Patient-engagement strategies, “eConsult” are key to building health center capacity

San Francisco, CA (September 22, 2016) – Blue Shield of California Foundation announced today $8.9 million in grants to improve the quality of healthcare and domestic violence services for the most vulnerable Californians. A key focus of the third-quarter funding is to improve patient-provider relationships and communication, ensuring cultural responsiveness and strengthening team-based care to ensure success in a value-based care system.

“We have been surveying low-income patients since 2011 to understand their expectations and we’ve learned that patients who feel a personal connection with their providers are more informed, engaged, and satisfied with their care,” said Peter Long, PhD, president and CEO. “There are simple and positive steps that community health centers can take to ensure a patient-centered approach with the goal of reducing costs while improving outcomes. We are looking forward to seeing the impact of these new grants.”

The Foundation is continuing its previous $1.5 million investment in multiple local “electronic consultation” (eConsult) projects across the state to better provide access to specialists for low-income patients. Additional grants will help spread the adoption of eConsult, with the ultimate aim of reducing wait times for specialty care, eliminating unnecessary appointments, and improving patient follow-up.

A complete list of Q3 awards can be found here. These grants are the latest in the Foundation’s total commitment of more than $365 million in philanthropic giving since 2002. 

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About Blue Shield of California Foundation

Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the state's largest and most trusted grantmaking organizations. Our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians, particularly the underserved, by making health care accessible, effective, and affordable, and by ending domestic violence. For more information, visit:  www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.  

Foundation Contact: Christine.Maulhardt [at] Blueshieldcafoundation.org (Christine Maulhardt) 415.229.6145

Press Contact: lmusiol [at] thereisgroup.com (Lauren Musiol )336.692.4238