CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Gift Helps District Health Organization Care for Diabetic Patients

September 17, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – A $10,000 donation from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) will help Columbia Road Health Services (CRHS) treat uninsured and underinsured Northwest Washington residents who suffer from diabetes. CRHS will use the CareFirst contribution for the diabetes data registry it uses to track and provide better care for its diabetes patients.

“Community health centers such as Columbia Road Health Services play a critical role in delivering primary care for the District’s low-income and uninsured individuals,” explained Gregory A. Devou, CareFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Support for CRHS and other similar organizations is just one of the many ways CareFirst works to increase access to health care.” 

CRHS is a nonprofit, community health center that provides more than 16,000 patient visits annually at its facility in Northwest Washington.

The organization provides comprehensive, high quality, culturally sensitive primary care to individuals who otherwise have limited access to health care.  In addition, CRHS offers mental health counseling and other social services. 

“CareFirst plays a vital role in our efforts to provide the highest quality care to the most disadvantaged and underserved residents of the District,” said Dr. Anton Vroon, Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Road Health Services.  “We are especially proud of our work together in the area of diabetes, where we have implemented a data-driven program that empowers and educates patients to manage their own chronic health condition.”

The contribution to Columbia Road Health Services is part of CareFirst Commitment, the company’s continuing initiative to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care. CareFirst has contributed a total of $28,000 to CRHS since 2005.
“For individuals who lack insurance, getting the appropriate care for chronic conditions such as diabetes can be a struggle,” said Washington, D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D – Ward One). “It’s good to see organizations such as Columbia Road Health Services and CareFirst come together to address this issue in our community.” 

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3.1 million individuals and groups in Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland.