By Dominic Manecke, Building Kentucky
At a time when over one in three American families are struggling to afford personal care products for their infants and young children, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced a $10,000 donation to eight community centers across the Commonwealth to provide parents complimentary access to diapers, wipes, creams and related baby items. In total, Anthem has pledged $80,000 to this initiative.
“Anthem is working alongside community partners to provide families and children with the necessary resources to lead a healthy lifestyle. As a leader in supporting maternal and child health, we are dedicated to helping the families we serve be better equipped to meet the needs of their growing families.”
– Leon Lamoreaux, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicaid President in Kentucky
Help for Kentucky families
On average, a baby needs nearly $900 worth of diapers annually. Kentucky senators and legislators across the state echoed the impact this donation will have on families and children.
“I want to thank Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for their support of some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable women and children. This is just another example of their continued dedication to the health and welfare of Kentuckians, that they have demonstrated for nearly 100 years.”
– Senator Phillip Wheeler (R-KY)
“Every child deserves to be raised in a loving and supportive home. Throughout my time in office, I have worked tirelessly to deliver on that promise for more Kentucky families. This exciting partnership between Anthem and Safe Harbor will guarantee that more parents across the Commonwealth can focus on building a brighter future for themselves and their children.”
– Senator Robin Webb (D-KY)
Impacts on health and well-being
According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, nearly 20 percent of Kentucky children live in low-income families with a single parent and half of all children under age 6 live in a low-income household.
Unfortunately, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) recipients do not qualify for free diapers, forcing some parents to make the difficult decision to reuse dirty diapers, change less frequently or find inadequate alternatives.
Those decisions can have profound effects on the health and well-being of the child both in the short- and long-term.
More information on Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is available at anthem.com.
