80 Years of Partnership to Serve Michigan
Daniel J. Loepp
| 2 min read
Daniel J. Loepp is President and Chief Executive Off...
For eighty years, it’s been the mission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to be a trusted partner to our customers and members, providing access to affordable, quality care for everyone. As part of that mission, we’ve also been committed to investing in our communities to make them healthy and vibrant. A lot has changed in the last eight decades since we were founded, but our core remains the same. I’m proud that we’re continuing to lead the way for a healthier Michigan and working harder than ever to make a difference in the lives of our members as a trusted partner and advisor on their health journey. But we recognize we couldn’t do this work alone. That’s why we’ve celebrated this milestone anniversary throughout the year by spotlighting the many organizations who partner with us to improve the health and well-being of our members and people across our state, and honoring our employees who work every day to improve our customers’ experiences. Together, with partners like the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Kirk Gibson Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association and others, we’ve raised awareness about devastating diseases and raised funding to combat them. We’ve demonstrated our commitment to community health by pledging $1.56 billion to the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. With legislators, we worked to expand Medicaid so more vulnerable residents have access. We’ve partnered with schools to make them healthier through programs like Building Healthy Communities. We’re also making an impact through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided grant funding of over $50 million to support university researchers, physicians and community organizations to increase access, improve quality and reduce the cost for health care. In partnership with residents, we continue to invest in communities, including a $5 million contribution through the Strategic Neighborhood Fund and Affordable Housing Leverage Initiative to support inclusive development in Detroit’s East Warren/Cadieux neighborhood. Our partnerships with doctors and hospitals, such as our Collaborative Quality Initiatives, have improved patient care. And in collaboration with health organizations through our new Blueprint for Affordability, we’re transforming the way we collectively approach the management of health care costs so that accountability for cost, quality, efficiency and patient outcomes is shared by all. As our 80th year draws to a close and we look toward a new decade full of possibilities and innovations, I’d like to take a moment to again thank all of our partners and employees who stood with us to make a positive impact to improve the health of all Michiganders and serve as a force for positive change for our communities.
