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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (April 14, 2010) – On Wednesday, April 14 at 12:30 p.m., CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Maryland, and players from the Baltimore Ravens will present a $100,000 contribution to Health Care for the Homeless at the organization’s new health center and headquarters at 421 Fallsway. Immediately following the check presentation, representatives of CareFirst and the Baltimore Ravens will serve lunch to clients of Health Care for the Homeless.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback John Beck and safety Tom Zbikowski will join CareFirst President and CEO Chet Burrell, CareFirst Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Community Affairs Maria Tildon, and leaders of Health Care for the Homeless for the press conference and check presentation.

“Children are experiencing homelessness in record numbers and lack access to health care,” said Jeff Singer, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless. “The CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Pediatric Clinic is an appropriate response to this growing unmet need. We are grateful for our continued partnership with CareFirst and the Baltimore Ravens.”

For every touchdown scored by the Ravens during a home game throughout the 2009-2010 Football Season, CareFirst contributed $1,000 to Health Care for the Homeless. This year’s contribution of $100,000, representing additional support from CareFirst, will help to establish the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Pediatric Clinic at Health Care for the Homeless.

“The Baltimore Ravens support these efforts to eradicate homelessness in Baltimore City,” said Ravens president Dick Cass. “Through our partnership with CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, we are encouraged by the steps being taken to make a difference in our community.”

Since 2003, the Baltimore Ravens and CareFirst have helped raise $212,000 for Health Care for the Homeless through the Community Touchdowns program. In all, CareFirst has contributed $576,000 to the valuable programs led by Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore City.

“Health Care for the Homeless has accomplished extraordinary things for Baltimore City, helping to bring medical and dental care to thousands of people who otherwise would be forced to go without,” said Burrell. “Our hope, in partnership with Health Care for the Homeless and the Baltimore Ravens, is for the pediatric clinic to directly serve this critical area of need.”

Health Care for the Homeless works to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness through the provision of health-related services, education and advocacy. HCH provides a comprehensive range of medical care, mental health services, social services, addiction treatment, outreach, dental care, prison reentry services, housing, and access to employment for thousands of Marylanders annually at clinic sites in Baltimore City, Frederick, and in Montgomery, Harford, and Baltimore Counties. Seventy-five percent of HCH clients are uninsured.

In its 73rd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety, and quality of health care throughout its market areas. Health Care for the Homeless is not a subsidiary or affiliate of CareFirst.

For more information on CareFirst and the Community Touchdown Program, please contact Kevin Kane at 410-528-7136 or kevin.kane@carefirst.com. For more information on Health Care for the Homeless, please contact Kevin Lindamood at 443-703-1303 or klindamood@hchmd.org.

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