Blue Shield of California Foundation Announces Shift in Grant Priorities
On Wednesday, the Blue Shield of California Foundation announced that it would not award grants to health information technology programs this year so that it could direct funds to other areas, the San Francisco Business Times reports.
In 2009, the foundation's grants will focus on:
- Efforts to achieve universal health coverage;
- Projects aimed at boosting the safety net; and
- Work aimed at eliminating domestic violence.
Crystal Hayling, president and CEO of the foundation, emphasized that the foundation would meet existing grant commitments (Rauber, San Francisco Business Times, 1/14).
Last year, the foundation distributed nearly 500 grants worth a total of $37 million. About 29% of the funds went to health IT projects.
Hayling said the foundation plans to award $30 million in grants in 2009 (Vesely, Modern Healthcare, 1/14). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.