COVID-19 Update: Horizon BCBSNJ Commits $2.5 Million for Masks, Face Shields, Food and Social Services to Protect Our Communities and Our Health Care Professionals
April 2, 2020
To help address the serious shortage of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) needed by frontline health care professionals responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) is spending $2.35 million to donate 500,000 N95 respirator masks and 81,000 face shields to Governor Murphy’s coordinated response effort. This is the largest single donation made by Horizon BCBSNJ in its 88-year history. The first shipment of these critical supplies is expected to be delivered to the State for distribution beginning next week with additional deliveries planned throughout April. The Company is also donating $100,000 to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and $60,000 to the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May, two organizations who are responding to the needs of New Jerseyans feeling the economic impact of the pandemic.
“Supporting the health and well-being of New Jersey’s communities has been central to Horizon’s mission for 88 years,” said Kevin P. Conlin, Horizon BCBSNJ’s Chairman, President, and CEO. “Our communities and our health care system are facing extraordinary challenges and Horizon is responding with our most significant donation ever to support New Jersey’s vital organizations and health care professionals. We are working closely with the many community organizations we support across the state to ensure they can continue delivering the essential services that so many depend on and meet the new demands created by the pandemic.”
“The heroes working the front lines in New Jersey hospitals put their own health at risk to care for New Jerseyans diagnosed with COVID-19, but they cannot do that without adequate personal protection equipment. Horizon has always worked to give New Jersey’s hospitals and doctors the tools they need to deliver the best care for our members, whether that be advanced data to help them make better decisions or this essential equipment needed to protect them while they work,” added Allen Karp, Horizon BCBSNJ’s Executive Vice President for Healthcare Management and Transformation. “We will continue to support New Jersey’s communities, our State leaders and our health system partners to help ensure that New Jerseyans get the care they need, when they need it.”
Cathy Bennett, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association added, “The Jersey Strong spirit is alive and well with partners like Horizon. Their generous gift to protect our healthcare heroes on the front lines and provide food to our state’s most vulnerable exemplifies the sense of community we all need right now.”
Horizon BCBSNJ and its philanthropic arm, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, have contributed more than $80 million to New Jersey’s community organizations and causes since 2004.