Highmark Foundation awards $100,000 grant to WVAHC to Support Enrollment

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Aug. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Highmark Foundation announced today that it has provided a $100,000 grant to West Virginians for Affordable Health Care (WVAHC)  to support its efforts to educate and enroll approximately 5,800 disadvantaged West Virginians into Medicaid and qualified health plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Highmark Foundation is joining other foundations from around the state to fund this project.

The grant will support a part-time project coordinator and mini-grants to nonprofit organizations.  The purpose of the mini-grants is to strengthen the role of nonprofit organizations in the enrollment process.  This is a unique opportunity to provide financial and health care security to thousands of West Virginians, produce better health outcomes and reduce mortality. 

"Over the next three years, the number of uninsured West Virginians is expected to be reduced by 70 percent," said Perry Bryant, Executive Director of WVAHC. "Nonprofit organizations can play a constructive and cost effective role in enrolling uninsured West Virginians in Medicaid and private insurance plans in the Marketplace. Generous contributions by these foundations will have a significant impact in helping to make certain that that our neighbors, friends and colleagues are enrolled."

Nonprofit organizations and government agencies can apply for a mini-grant up to $5,000 by completing the grant application at www.enrollwv.org. WVAHC is also offering training sessions at no cost across the state in August and September of 2013.  The purpose of these sessions is to train community assisters on the new enrollment process. Registration for these training sessions is also available at www.enrollwv.org.

To qualify for a mini-grant, staff of these organizations will be required to undergo a comprehensive training session and report the number of West Virginians that were assisted with enrollment.

"We have a significant opportunity to greatly improve both the quality of life and the health status of thousands of West Virginians," said Catherine McAlister, manager, corporate communications, Highmark West Virginia. "Individuals and families will have access to wellness activities and prevention programs. Being insured is an important factor in improving health status.

"This is an opportunity to make a real difference is people's lives. We should take full advantage," said McAlister.

About WVAHC
West Virginians for Affordable Health Care is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization under IRC 501(c)(4) organized in November, 2005 by a diverse group of individuals concerned about the rising cost of health care and health care insurance coverage. The organization is funded by membership dues, public donations, and grants.

About the Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a charitable organization, a private foundation and an affiliate of Highmark Health Services that supports initiatives and programs aimed at improving community health. The Foundation's mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark Health Services. The Foundation strives to support evidence-based programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.   

SOURCE Highmark Foundation