In 2020, the Foundation Board of Directors and staff revised our strategic plan to better reflect our efforts in coverage and care, behavioral health, and structural racism and racial inequities in health.
Using the World Health Organization’s definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, allows us to incorporate the principles of our previous focus area of social equity and health, while affirming an explicit focus on the role of racism in health systems and outcomes.
This refocusing provides flexibility to respond to current issues while continuing the work that is critical to our core mission. This new strategic plan will serve as a blueprint for our work over the next several years as we seek to make a difference and to create an impact.
Read below to learn more, or download a printable version.
MISSION
The mission of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is to expand access to health care for low-income and vulnerable people in the Commonwealth. We collaborate with public and private organizations to broaden health coverage and reduce barriers to care through grants, research, and policy initiatives. Founded in 2001 with an initial endowment from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Foundation operates separately from the company and is governed by its own Board of Directors.
FOCUS AREAS
Behavioral HealthAccess to behavioral health is uneven and consumers often have difficulty getting the right combination of care when they need it. We are exploring methods for expanding access and eliminating barriers to integrating behavioral and physical health care. |
Structural Racism and Racial Inequities in HealthLack of access to quality, affordable health care is created and compounded by structural racism and prevents people from achieving positive health outcomes. Our emerging grant program and policy analysis agenda aim to understand and disrupt structural racism to eliminate inequities in health care access, quality, and outcomes. |
Coverage & CareCoverage does not always equal care. We remain committed to supporting programs that help low-income consumers obtain, keep and use their insurance, and to conducting research and developing strategies to increase coverage to reach those most in need. |
PROGRAMS
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INTENDED IMPACT
GrantmakingWe invest through strategic grant-making and knowledge sharing. We fund programs and projects that promote sustainable improvements in health care access for low-income and vulnerable people. We also identify trends to inform our policy work and bring to scale best practices and lessons learned. |
ConveningsWe engage the community through collaborations and convenings. Foundation-sponsored conferences assemble stakeholders from government, advocacy, academia and the provider community to discuss health care issues. Our grantees participate in learning communities with their peers to share best practices and address common challenges. |
Policy & ResearchWe dedicate ourselves to impartial and informative policy analysis. Working with nationally recognized researchers and academics, we focus on projects that promote the development of effective policy solutions on local and national health care issues. Our publications are widely regarded as key resources for policymakers and stakeholders. |
Educational ProgramsWe educate. The Massachusetts Institute for Community Health Leadership develops emerging health care leaders. The Health Coverage Fellowship expands the capacity of the media to cover health care issues. The Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, a program of the Foundation, broadens the understanding of the MA Medicaid program, MassHealth. |
RESOURCES
Policy & ResearchChart Packs |
Grantmaking & Knowledge SharingCatalyst Fund |
Convenings & CollaborationsAction Labs |