Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield: Free Clinics in Wisconsin to receive $145,000 in Grants from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Foundation

Grants to support ‘access to care’ initiatives across Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – May 1, 2006 – In an effort to address the issue of access to health care within local communities, six free clinics in Wisconsin have been awarded a total of $145,000 in grant funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, now known as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

“We recognize that an increasing number of people go without necessary health care because they are un- or under-insured,” said Stuart K. Campbell, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. “We also understand that, as the leading health care benefits company in the nation, we have a major role in finding a solution. Funding these grants to support free clinics in our communities is just one of the steps we are taking as a company to address this serious issue.”

The Foundation recently selected the following Wisconsin free clinics to receive funding for their important work:

* St. Agnes Foundation (Samaritan Health Clinic) – Fond du Lac, Wis. – The Samaritan Health Clinic provides quality healthcare to the uninsured/low income patients within Fond du Lac County to be a force for a healthier community.

* HealthNet of Janesville – Janesville, Wis. – HealthNet, run primarily by volunteer physicians, is a non-profit, free clinic, serving individuals in Rock County who have no health insurance, Medicare or medical assistance.

* The Open Door Clinic, Chippewa Falls, Wis. – Formed in 2005, The Open Door Clinic provides health services to Chippewa County residents who do not have affordable access to care.

* MilwaukeeCares – Milwaukee, Wis. – MilwaukeeCares is a voluntary public-private partnership that works to improve access to appropriate care for low income, uninsured patients in Milwaukee County who are ineligible for government programs.

* Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, Milwaukee, Wis. – Since 1969 the Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers have been providing health care services to residents of Milwaukee’s near south side. Sixteenth Street is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing Primary Health Care (Medical, Dental and Behavioral care), social services, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) counseling, health education and HIV outreach.

* St. Clare Health Mission, La Crosse, Wis. – Formed in 1993, St. Clare Health Mission is a volunteer run non-profit organization that provides free health care to those who have the least access to medical care residing in Houston, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempleau or Vernon Counties.

“For these free clinics, receiving these substantial financial contributions near the national observance of Cover the Uninsured Week speaks volumes,” said Campbell. “We hope other local organizations will join us in this effort.”

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Foundation Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Foundation focuses on initiatives that will make health care more accessible and affordable, improve quality of care, support the development of health-related public policy, and help establish best practices in medicine. The Foundation focuses on developing social investment programs and partnering with nonprofit public charities whose projects and programs closely align with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin’s health care priorities.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin Foundation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.