CVS Caremark foundation offers grants to expand healthcare access

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is providing $5 million in grants to help expand access to healthcare through its partnerships with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC), the School-Based Health Alliance, and the “Innovations in Community Health” grant program.

To help underserved populations receive access to healthcare, NAFC supports more than 1,200 free and charitable U.S. clinics. The School-Based Health Alliance serves more than 2,000 school-based community health centers, and the community health centers serve more than 22 million individuals at more than 9,000 U.S. sites.

“While changes in our healthcare system will qualify millions of more people for health coverage, it’s still a challenge for many, especially underserved populations, to have access to quality healthcare,” said Larry J. Merlo, CVS Caremark leader.

Through these partnerships, NAFC will receive $1 million for its clinics nationwide. Another $1 million will be given to School-Based Health Alliance, and another $1 million will go to “Innovations in Community Health” grant program, which is the second installment of a 3-year partnership. Last year, this grant program received the first $1 million grant.

The funds are used to support a number of programs, such as healthcare models that promote coordinated care efforts, education, awareness, and prevention and wellness programs. The monies are also used for school immunizations, partnerships with community organizations like hospitals, healthcare models to promote coordinated care for patients with chronic diseases, and technology and IT services serving patients with chronic diseases.