Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan And Its Foundation Are Offering Maternal Health Equity Grants To 501c(3) Organizations

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan And Its Foundation will fund IRS section 501(c)3 organizations to benefit certain maternity cases, based on their race and/or sexual preferences.  SDoH (Social Determinants of Health) efforts like this are the next triumph envisioned by the same clowns who imposed their disastrous program to control COVID-19 four years ago:

https://www.bcbsm.com/about-us/our-impact/health-program-grants/advancing-maternal-health-equity/

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/06/12/blue-cross-blue-shield-michigan-statewide-grant-applications-open/

Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan statewide grant applications open
By TV6 News Team - June 12, 2024

DETROIT, Mich. (WLUC) - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are partnering to provide a third cycle of funding through the Advancing Maternal Health Equity initiative and are now accepting applications from Regional Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (RPQC) and Michigan based nonprofit organizations across the state.

Grants will support sustainable initiatives to advance health equity, improve maternal health outcomes and reduce a patient’s risk of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Selected grantees will be awarded up to $50,000 for 12 months.

Patients may experience challenges even before pregnancy that can lead to maternal complications during pregnancy, labor, delivery and during the postpartum period. A June 2024 Health of America report released by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association states one-third of all SMM events occur during the postpartum period, with Black and Latina patients experiencing postpartum SMM events at a higher rate than white patients.

In the commercially insured population, postpartum SMM rates are 87% higher among Black patients and 7% higher among Latina patients. Among the Medicaid-insured population, postpartum SMM rates are 90% higher among Black Patients and 6% higher among Latina patients.

Proposals will be accepted from Michigan-based non-profits for community-inspired, evidence-based and sustainable initiatives that:

· Address disparities in access, to maternal and infant health care, or outcomes.

· Address gaps within the social determinants of health and access to support services.

· Improve maternal and infant health and well-being.

· Reduce the risk of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity.

“Health inequities can make it difficult for patients to find accessible, culturally competent and affordable physical and mental health care, which often can be attributed to adverse maternal outcomes,” said Ken Hayward, vice president of Community Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “We’re pleased to accept applications from organizations across the state for this year’s Advancing Maternal Health Equity initiative to support differing communities in our state with significant needs.”

The funding collaborative is particularly interested in sustainable proposals that support women of color and individuals in underserved and marginalized communities, including those with intersection identities such as persons with disabilities and LGBTQ+, address implicit bias and provide culturally relevant interventions.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with their Regional Perinatal Quality Collaborative meaningfully to form partnerships with other community stakeholders that may elevate or inform planning, strategy, or services for existing or future programming. Nonprofit organizations may apply for a grant to develop and implement or expand a project that advances maternal health equity by addressing disparities-related factors in maternal health.

“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation remain committed to improving maternal health outcomes through the Advancing Maternal Health Equity initiative, now in its third year,” said Audrey Harvey, BCBSM Foundation executive director and chief executive officer. “We recognize race, culture, religion, language and disabilities can create multi-layered challenges, making it all the more difficult to experience quality maternal health care. Partnering with organizations that have local insight into specific needs is critical in our efforts to make health care more accessible.”

Eligible applicants must complete and submit an online application by Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Awards will be announced in August 2024 and the program period begins October 1, 2024.

An informational webinar will be hosted on June 20 at 10:30 a.m. to learn more about the grant application. For details and registration information, visit https://www.bcbsm.com/about-us/our-impact/health- program-grants/advancing-maternal-health-equity

For more information on the partnership’s grant programs, visit Blue Cross’ grants and contributions webpage and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation’s 2023 Annual Report.