CVS partners with NACHC on grants

By Emily Greenhalgh
PBN Web Editor
Twitter: @EGreenhalgh

WOONSOCKET – CVS Caremark Charitable Trust – a private foundation founded by CVS Caremark Corp. – has partnered with the National Association of Community Health Centers to create a grant program focused on managing chronic disease, the company announced Tuesday.

Beginning in 2013, $3 million in grants will be awarded to community health centers nationwide through the Innovations in Community Health program.

Grants are intended to support collaborative, community-based health care models that increase access to quality care and produce better health outcomes while reducing costs to patients and health care systems.

The Innovations in Community Health program focuses on the treatment and management of chronic illnesses, specifically heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

“Given the rapidly changing health care environment, it’s increasingly important to provide access to high quality health care,” Larry J. Merlo, CVS Caremark president and CEO, said in a statement.

“Through our partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers, we hope to improve health outcomes for the millions of Americans living with chronic disease, while also lowering costs,” added Merlo.

According to a release, grant funding will be used to support a variety of programs including:

• Health care models that promote coordinated care for patients managing chronic diseases

• Health care models that include education and tracking methods for promoting medication adherence for patients managing chronic diseases.

• Technology and IT services that enable health care providers to more effectively plan therapies or promote communication among a network of health care providers serving collaborative care for patients managing chronic diseases.

“The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is committed to supporting organizations that are providing greater access to health care and medical services, and this partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers will go a long way in that effort,” Eileen Howard Boone, vice president for CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, said in a statement.

“We know that while treatment outcomes are improving, the rates of chronic disease are increasing and health centers play a vital role in providing affordable, quality health care services for those who need it most,” said Boone.

Applications for Innovations in Community Health grants will be open to NACHC members in select states. NACHC will distribute the application to members the week of July 30.