Little Rock, Ark. — Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is presenting $5,000 each to eight Arkansas cities to help repair public areas affected by the recent flooding along the Arkansas River.

“Arkansas Blue Cross is doing several things to assist the individual victims of the recent flooding,” said Curtis Barnett, president and chief executive officer for Arkansas Blue Cross. “But we also wanted to assist the cities that were so deeply affected.”
Cities receiving financial support for the cleanup effort from Arkansas Blue Cross include Conway, Dardanelle, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Morrilton, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Van Buren.

In addition, Arkansas Blue Cross is collecting equipment and supplies needed for the cleanup and assisting flood victims in obtaining needed medications. Arkansas Blue Cross employees have personally donated more than $11,000 to the American Red Cross, and that amount will be matched by the company. A check for more than $22,000 will be presented to the American Red Cross in July.

“The well-being of the people of our state is our primary focus,” said Barnett. “So when we see a natural disaster of this magnitude, the natural instinct of our company and our employees is to reach out and assist our friends and neighbors in their time of need. I am particularly proud of our employees’ response. It shows their compassion and their deep commitment to the people and communities we serve.”

About Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield 

Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more than 2,900 employees. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is comprised of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide healthcare coverage for nearly 106 million members — one in three Americans.