Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin and its Foundation Commit More Than $915,000 in 2010

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 27, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- To address ongoing health disparities and hardships encountered by millions of American families, the men and women of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem), and its corporate foundation, proudly continued the company's tradition of caring for the people it serves and the health of our communities by contributing more than $915,000 to philanthropic and civic organizations throughout Wisconsin in 2010.

Anthem's community efforts for 2010 were highlighted by a more than $144,000 contribution from its own employees that will support hundreds of community-based non-profit organizations throughout Wisconsin. Through its annual Associate Giving Campaign, Anthem associates direct their giving to their choice of numerous health-related 501(c)(3) organizations. The funds pledged receive a 50 percent match from the parent company's Foundation, increasing the total to over $216,000.  

"Our associates work hard every day to provide health care benefits to our more than one million members throughout the state," said Larry Schreiber, president of Anthem in Wisconsin. "These same associates are also very committed to the communities where they live and work, particularly during these challenging economic times. I couldn't be more proud of their efforts to help make a difference for people in need."

In addition to the Associate Giving Campaign, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation (Foundation) funded more than $600,000 in grants to organizations in Wisconsin in 2010, including American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, Wisconsin League for Nursing, YMCA of Metro Milwaukee and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – St. Joseph Foundation.  Additional grants were awarded to the following national organizations which will directly benefit Wisconsin:  American Diabetes Association, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Boys and Girls Club of America, Engleberg Center for Healthcare Reform at Brookings Institute, Center for Medical Technology, Trustees of Dartmouth College, Foundation for Health Coverage Education, March of Dimes, National Council on Aging, New England Healthcare Institute, Nurse-Family Partnership, Oasis Institute and the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy.  

In addition to the Foundation grants and the generosity of its associates, Anthem's 2010 community relations commitments in Wisconsin totaled more than $96,000, including support for the following organizations:

• ALS Association;
• Alzheimer's Association;
• American Cancer Society;
• American Heart Association;
• I Back Jack Foundation;
• Komen Milwaukee;
• Milwaukee Public Schools;
• Milwaukee Wave - "Making Waves" School Program;
• Radio Disney – "Get Active Get Fit!" School Challenge;
• Sojourner Family Peace Center;
• Wisconsin Badger Camp; and
• Wisconsin Literacy.

Anthem associates are also conducting local projects and contributing to several organizations to provide assistance around the holidays, including Giving Trees and Toys for Tots collections.  

The community commitments by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin, its Foundation and parent company Foundation total $915,530 for 2010.

For more information about the social responsibility of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its parent company, please visit http://www.wellpoint.com/corporateresponsibility.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem's inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to reduce the number of uninsured as well as organizations and nonprofit charities that promote the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company's annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates' campaign pledges. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. To learn more about the Foundation please visit www.wellpointfoundation.org.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation ("Compcare") underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation