• Initial Investments will be focused on Opioid Epidemic, Early Childhood Development, Social Determinants of Health, and Primary Care 
  • Community Investment Partially Funded Through $40 Million in Tax Savings 

 

DURHAM, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) today announced that it is investing an additional $50 million into North Carolina community health initiatives this year, funded partially with $40 million in tax savings generated through the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Additional tax law savings from this year will be invested into new consumer-facing technologies designed to improve the customer experience and help them navigate the health care system. Blue Cross NC will use the remaining tax law savings to provide one-time $1,000 bonuses to all non-officer employees of the company.

With its next rate filing, Blue Cross NC will use future tax law savings to lower premium increases. The Blue Cross NC community investment builds on the company’s 85 year tradition of giving back to North Carolina. 

“The Blue Cross NC mission is to improve the health and well-being of our customers and communities, and we are proud to be doing just that,” said Blue Cross NC President and CEO Dr. Patrick Conway. “Healthy communities are foundational for healthy North Carolinians. As a practicing pediatrician, I know investments to improve early childhood development and address social determinants of health lead to better health outcomes and lower costs. We look forward to continuing to invest in North Carolina’s communities and using future tax savings to offset premium increases for our customers.”

The $50 million investment will focus on four specific areas: addressing the state’s opioid epidemic, early childhood development, social determinants of health and primary care. This investment is in addition to the millions of dollars Blue Cross NC regularly contributes to communities across the state.

The investment will be allocated as follows, with specifics on the remaining investments to be announced in the coming months:

  • $10 million to Address the Opioid Epidemic
    • Blue Cross NC will donate $1 million to TROSA, an innovative, multi-year residential program that enables substance abusers to be productive, recovering individuals by providing comprehensive treatment, work-based vocational training, education and continuing care. The investment will help TROSA create new capacity in the Triad that will serve the entire state and improve access to its services for individuals in Western North Carolina.
    • Blue Cross NC will invest $390,000 into a partnership with The University of North Carolina School of Government to develop community-based solutions to the opioid epidemic in up to 10 North Carolina communities over the next two years.
  • $10 million for Early Childhood Development
    • Blue Cross NC will donate $1 million to Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC), the only statewide organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Through investments in innovative programs proven to prevent child maltreatment before it occurs, PCANC helps North Carolina’s communities decrease factors that put children at risk for abuse and increase factors that encourage children to thrive. Blue Cross NC will invest to prevent adverse childhood experiences.
  • $15 million for Social Determinants of Health
    • Blue Cross NC will donate $2 million to InterAct to help fund its new Family Justice Center in Raleigh. The Center will provide one-stop service delivery for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence. Under one roof, a multidisciplinary team of professionals and advocates will work together to provide consolidated and coordinated safety, legal, and social aid to individuals and families in need.
  • $15 million for Primary Care
    • Blue Cross NC will invest $1.2 million into the continuation of the Physician Assistant Studies program, housed within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Department of Allied Health Sciences. Among the program’s goals include recruitment of non-traditional students, with special attention to North Carolina residents and veterans. Designed in collaboration with Army officials at Fort Bragg, the two-year program aims to recruit veterans and other non-traditional students and to turn troops' medical experience into job skills for their transition back to civilian life. The program is committed to the health care and workforce needs of all North Carolinians, including in rural areas.
    • Blue Cross NC will donate $1 million to Duke Healthy Community programs focused on community health improvement and access to care.

 

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities through innovative health care products, insurance, services and information to more than 3.9 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at bcbsnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.