BATON ROUGE, La. — Aetna Better Health® of Louisiana, a CVS Health company, announced that it has provided grants totaling $250,000 to two community partners in New Orleans. The grants will enable the purchase of a mobile hygiene unit for New Orleans communities and increase access to in-home support for pregnant women.
Since 2019, Aetna Better Health of Louisiana has invested more than $775,000 in various community-based organizations across the state as part of our continued commitment to supporting the overall health of Medicaid members and their communities by filling identified social care needs. Additionally, in 2021, CVS Health committed more than $27 million to build 435 affordable housing units for families and seniors in Louisiana, including recently announced investments in New Orleans and Opelousas.
“Supporting our local communities is essential to how we are helping individuals and families achieve better health,” said Richard Born, CEO, Aetna Better Health of Louisiana. “Our community investments in Louisiana will target social determinants of health and help increase access to care to support those in underserved communities in reaching their highest level of health.”
Aetna has distributed grants to each of these organizations —
Salvation Army, New Orleans Area Command received a $150,000 grant towards the purchase of a mobile hygiene unit they will own and operate in Orleans Parish. The New Orleans Area Command was the first established Salvation Army Location in the Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi division. The Salvation Army is a religious and social service organization.
Kingsley House received a grant of $100,000 to expand support of pregnant women participating in the Thriving Family Collaborative, in partnership with Crescent Family Services, which will increase access to in-home support for birthing individuals, increase emotional wellness and self-care supports, as well as increase maternal health literacy. Kingsley House’s mission is to educate children, strengthen families and build community.
Hygiene is fundamental to health and wellbeing. More than 1,000 individuals in Jefferson and Orleans parish communities experience homelessness each day, and four out of 1,000 households in the state lacks adequate plumbing.1 The absence of showers is a significant problem for homeless individuals and is a primary reason many do not seek employment, housing assistance, medical care and other services that they are eligible for.
“We appreciate the support Aetna Better Health of Louisiana is providing to our organization and local communities in Louisiana,” said Major Christopher Thornhill, Area Commander, Salvation Army, New Orleans Area Command. “The grant will provide people in vulnerable communities with opportunities to be clean and comfortable, which is a first step toward self-sufficiency.”
Having access to local maternal care is critical to improving the health of mothers and infants as well as reducing infant mortality rates in Louisiana. The infant mortality rate in the U.S. in 2017 was 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, a rate lower than that of Louisiana (7.2%) and Orleans Parish (7.4%). In that same year, 11% of all births in Louisiana and 13% in Orleans Parish were of low birth weight2
“Access to maternal health care is vital to achieving positive outcomes for pregnant moms and babies,” said Chantè R. Jones, RN, BSN, MHA, Kingsley House Director of Health Services. “We look forward to collaborating with Aetna and are grateful for this grant, which will increase access to maternal health support for economically-challenged expecting and new mothers, with the objective of improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing infant mortality.”
Aetna Better Health has been providing quality care to Medicaid enrollees in Louisiana for more than six years. The health plan serves over 150,000 enrollees across the state through the Louisiana Medicaid Managed Care Program.
About Aetna Medicaid
Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of the most medically vulnerable, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has particular expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve approximately 2.8 million people in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com.
About CVS Health
CVS HCVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care in ways no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and approximately 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health whether that’s managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system and their personal health care by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.
Aetna Media Contact
Robert Joyce
joycer@aetna.com