{"id":92607,"date":"2021-02-12T09:02:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/english-blue-cross-blue-shield-of-massachusetts-and-community-health-centers-team-up-to-address-barriers-to-covid-vaccine-access\/"},"modified":"2021-02-12T10:10:02","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T14:10:02","slug":"blue-cross-blue-shield-de-massachusetts-y-los-centros-de-salud-comunitarios-se-unen-para-abordar-barreras-de-acceso-a-la-vacuna-contra-la-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/blue-cross-blue-shield-de-massachusetts-y-los-centros-de-salud-comunitarios-se-unen-para-abordar-barreras-de-acceso-a-la-vacuna-contra-la-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Community Health Centers Team Up to Address Barriers to COVID Vaccine Access"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><![CDATA[\n\/* Style Definitions *\/\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">BOSTON<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">Feb. 11, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212;\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=2963539233&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D3936984795%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.bluecrossma.org%252F%26a%3DBlue%2BCross%2BBlue%2BShield%2Bof%2BMassachusetts&amp;a=Blue+Cross+Blue+Shield+of+Massachusetts\" rel=\"nofollow\">Blue Cross Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(&#8220;Blue Cross&#8221;) today announced a new effort with the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=528887558&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D4060710475%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.massleague.org%252F%26a%3DMassachusetts%2BLeague%2Bof%2BCommunity%2BHealth%2BCenters&amp;a=Massachusetts+League+of+Community+Health+Centers\" rel=\"nofollow\">Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers<\/a>\u00a0(&#8220;the League&#8221;) to help provide equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations. <\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpgd56bleft\" style=\"WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left\" dir=\"ltr\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpgd56bleft\" title=\"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts \" border=\"0\" alt=\"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts \" align=\"middle\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/177637\/blue_cross_blue_shield_of_massachusetts_logo.jpg \" imagelabel=\"General\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Blue Cross will contribute <span class=\"xn-money\">$1 million<\/span> to fund free rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination sites across the state to support community health centers, underserved communities, and vulnerable populations. The new initiative was announced during a press conference today with Governor <span class=\"xn-person\">Charlie Baker<\/span> at the <span class=\"xn-location\">East Boston<\/span> Neighborhood Health Center.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The goal now is to get people vaccinated, and access to those appointments is critical,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Andrew Dreyfus<\/span>, Blue Cross&#8217; president and CEO. &#8220;We know lack of access to transportation is a significant barrier in communities hard hit by COVID-19. The Community Health Centers&#8217; deep experience will help connect more of our neighbors with vaccines that can save lives and help end the pandemic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Blue Cross&#8217; contribution will support tens of thousands of free rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination sites. The goal is to launch the program in the next few weeks in coordination with the League, which will assist in identifying participating community health centers.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve always said those closest to the disease need to be closest to the vaccine. Members of the communities we serve have disproportionately contracted, suffered,\u00a0and died from this terrible virus,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Michael Curry<\/span>, president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and a member of the state&#8217;s <i>COVID<\/i>-19 Vaccine\u00a0<i>Advisory<\/i><i>\u00a0<\/i>Group. &#8220;We are proud to partner with Blue Cross to help bring our patients better access to these life-saving vaccines.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Since the pandemic started, we have been on the frontlines, providing COVID-19 testing and treatment throughout the local community,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Manny Lopes<\/span>, president and CEO of the <span class=\"xn-location\">East Boston<\/span> Neighborhood Health Center. &#8220;Now, we are on the frontlines of the vaccination effort too. We welcome this new initiative, which will make it easier for our most vulnerable patients to get the vaccinations they desperately need.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p>Blue Cross and the League will work together toward their mutual goal of addressing disparities in access to COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved communities throughout <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span>. The organizations are looking at a variety of options which may include grants to community health centers, partnering with a ride share program, and other potential transportation solutions.<\/p>\n<p>Today&#8217;s contribution comes on top of the <span class=\"xn-money\">$11 million<\/span> Blue Cross and its Foundation has invested in the community during the COVID-19 crisis.<\/p>\n<p>For more information on how Blue Cross is supporting its members during the COVID-19 public health emergency, visit the company&#8217;s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=4208036206&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D568079107%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.bluecrossma.org%252Fmyblue%252Fcoronavirus-resource-center%26a%3DCoronavirus%2BResource%2BCenter&amp;a=Coronavirus+Resource+Center\" rel=\"nofollow\">Coronavirus Resource Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><b>About Blue Cross Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span><br \/><\/b>Blue Cross Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span> (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=1571887083&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D3219201499%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bluecrossma.org%252F%26a%3Dwww.bluecrossma.org&amp;a=www.bluecrossma.org\" rel=\"nofollow\">www.bluecrossma.org<\/a>) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in <span class=\"xn-location\">Boston<\/span>. We are committed to the relentless pursuit of quality, affordable health care <i>with<\/i>\u00a0an unparalleled consumer experience.\u00a0Consistent with our promise to always put our members first, we are rated among the nation&#8217;s best health plans for member satisfaction and quality.\u00a0Connect with us on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=1160890622&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D3135627346%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252FBCBSMA%26a%3DFacebook&amp;a=Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=2681681448&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D333183505%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ftwitter.com%252FBCBSMA%26a%3DTwitter&amp;a=Twitter\" rel=\"nofollow\">Twitter<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=1506969675&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D986337449%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fchannel%252FUCxtKEeJPREsFwTrJ87VFfTQ%26a%3DYouTube%252C&amp;a=YouTube%2C\" rel=\"nofollow\">YouTube,<\/a>\u00a0and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=3552764293&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D3158456042%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.linkedin.com%252Fcompany%252Fblue-cross-blue-shield-of-massachusetts%253Ftrk%253Dtyah%2526trkInfo%253Dtas%25253Ablue%252Bcross%252Bblue%252Bshield%252Bof%252Bm%25252Cidx%25253A2-2-3%26a%3DLinkedIn&amp;a=LinkedIn\" rel=\"nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=1322531167&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D405969182%26u%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bluecrossma.com%252Fbluelinks-for-employers%252F%26a%3DBlueLinks%2Bfor%2BEmployers&amp;a=BlueLinks+for+Employers\" rel=\"nofollow\">BlueLinks for Employers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>About the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers<br \/><\/b>The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers\u00a0(the League) is a 501 (c)(3) membership organization supporting and representing\u00a0the Commonwealth<i>&#8216;<\/i>s\u00a052 community health centers, which offer primary and preventive care to more than one million\u00a0residents. The League\u00a0serves as an information resource on community-based primary care to policymakers, opinion leaders, and the media. It provides a wide range of technical assistance to its health center members, including advocacy on health policy issues, support for workforce development, clinical care and technology initiatives, and guidance\u00a0to state leaders and community-based organizations seeking to open health centers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>About the <span class=\"xn-location\">East Boston<\/span> Neighborhood Health Center<br \/><\/b><i>The <span class=\"xn-location\">East Boston<\/span> Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) has been a vital part of the community for 50 years, providing easily accessible, high-quality health care to all who live and work in <span class=\"xn-location\">East Boston<\/span> and the surrounding communities of <span class=\"xn-location\">Chelsea<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Revere<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Everett<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-location\">Winthrop<\/span>, and, most recently, the South End. EBNHC is the largest community health center in <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span> and one of the largest in the nation, now serving nearly 120,000 patients and employing more than 1,300 staff members. We&#8217;re proud to be a 2020 Forbes Best-in-State Employer and a six-time awardee of the\u00a0Boston Globe&#8217;s Top Places to Work.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Logo &#8211; <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=2786557760&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F177637%2Fblue_cross_blue_shield_of_massachusetts_logo.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F177637%2Fblue_cross_blue_shield_of_massachusetts_logo.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/177637\/blue_cross_blue_shield_of_massachusetts_logo.jpg<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>SOURCE  Blue Cross Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">BOSTON<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">Feb. 11, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212;\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3065889-1&amp;h=2963539233&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fc212.net%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D3065889-1%26h%3D3936984795%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.bluecrossma.org%252F%26a%3DBlue%2BCross%2BBlue%2BShield%2Bof%2BMassachusetts&amp;a=Blue+Cross+Blue+Shield+of+Massachusetts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Blue Cross Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">Massachusetts<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(&#8220;Blue Cross&#8221;)&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":92608,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-92607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-salud"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92607\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/92608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}