Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, Inc., a designated Public Health Service 330 Center. Providing medical and dental services to the Greater New Bedford area.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
Contact: Lois Curley, lcurley@gnbchc.org, 508-984-8401 ext.182

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Receives $65,000 To Improve Care of Patients with Chronic Disease

Grant is the first of an intended three that will total $195,000 over three years

NEW BEDFORD -- The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has been awarded a $65,000 grant by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation to develop a Chronic Disease Intervention Program that will improve the care of patients with diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. The new program will network primary care providers so they can more easily use evidence-based strategies in patient care with support from dedicated case management workers. The target population for this initiative includes uninsured patients. The grant is the first of an intended three that will total $195,000 over three years.

“This grant will fund our long-standing effort to implement systems that give our patients with chronic diseases the consistent care they need,” said Peter Georgeopoulos, President and CEO. “This funding will help to improve the health outcomes for the patients targeted by this effort.”

The grant was awarded through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation’s Innovation Fund for the Uninsured grant program area. The funding is given to improve the organization, continuity, and completeness of care for the uninsured.

“State residents who remain uninsured despite the historic gains made under the state’s 2006 health reform law still need access to care,” said Jarrett T. Barrios, President of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. “This program by the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center will expand access to services for those who need them most.”

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation awarded $1.95 million in grants to 17 health care delivery organizations across the state working to implement more cost-effective care for the uninsured through outreach and education, prevention, and medical management. The grants range from $55,000 to $95,000. This year’s grant is the first of an intended three to be awarded over three years. The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is potentially eligible for $195,000 over the three-year grant cycle.