CareFirst — alongside Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Appleseed Center for Law & Justice — announced a $95 million fund dedicated to eliminating health inequity in underserved communities.
A seven-member committee established by Ms. Bowser and Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, a CareFirst affiliate, will helm the Health Equity Fund, according to the Nov. 5 announcement.
The committee will form improvement metrics, review and approve grants, monitor recipients and address factors such as resident health equity. It will also consider and address various social determinants of health.
"We're excited to partner with the District to make significant and impactful investments that will help ensure District residents have equitable access to quality care," said Brian Pieninck, CareFirst president and CEO. "The Health Equity Fund will provide much-needed resources in the wake of long-standing disparities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a not-for-profit healthcare company with headquarters in the District, we look forward to supporting innovative solutions that will advance health equity."