Access to Care

Blue Impact

Improving Maternal and Infant
Health Outcomes

Last August, we announced a multifaceted expansion of our Special Beginnings initiative focusing on the health of new moms and babies. The effort follows a state report finding that as many as 90% of pregnancy-related deaths in the state may have been preventable.

“Maternal and infant health are priorities nationwide, but we see the greatest opportunity to make a significant impact in Texas, where the need is so great.”  — Dr. Mark Chassay, BCBSTX chief medical officer

This means we’re providing more resources and avenues to engage members from pregnancy planning through childbirth and beyond. We’re also harnessing the knowledge and expertise of organizations at the local level to help improve maternal and infant health in our communities.

In Central Texas, for example, we’re collaborating with Huston-Tillotson University to train doulas, midwives, lactation consultants and support maternal health education.

Working with Bracane, we supported listening sessions across Texas with pregnant women and moms of all backgrounds and focus groups with maternal care providers.

And we invested in tech-enabled platforms Delfina and InovCares to promote healthier pregnancies and a Houston-based March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center, which will be the first in Texas.

Supporting Substance Abuse Recovery for Pregnant Women and Mothers

Santa Maria Hostel in Houston is expanding its Caring for Two program to help more mothers of young children and pregnant women going through addiction. 

Closing Gaps in Care

In collaboration with community partners, we’re expanding access to immunizations, diabetes care, cardiovascular care, behavioral health, early detection cancer screening, and maternal and infant health.

Blue Impact grants are supporting 29 community organizations across Texas that complement our collaboration with doctors and other providers to close care gaps for members.

Our support for the Caring Foundation of Texas — which operates the Care Van^® mobile health program — is helping thousands of people across the state gain access to immunizations and other important preventive health services and education.

Educating and Empowering Patients With Diabetes

Proyecto Juan Diego started diabetes education classes to help residents of the Lower Rio Grande Valley make lifestyle changes and become healthier.

Care Van^® Impact

Economic Opportunity and Stability

It’s hard to focus on health without stable income, access to jobs, and chances to gain new skills and grow. Twenty organizations are making a difference in these areas with the support of Blue Impact grants.

One is Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), which is supporting education and training for up to 550 low-income adults in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties. The program provides financial help so participants can attend school full time, as well as case management and counseling services. Another is Prospera, a nonprofit organization that creates safe, affordable housing with on-site services in 19 cities in Central and South Texas.

Supporting Workforce Training with Project QUEST in San Antonio

Established in 1992 after the closure of a factory closure, Project Quest provides career coaching and tuition, transportation and food assistance to prepare adults for better-paying and more highly skilled jobs.

Addressing Hunger and Nutrition

Reliable access to nutritious food is essential to health and wellness, and too many people in communities across Texas live in food-insecure households.

To help meet this need, BCBSTX supports and collaborates with organizations that buy and distribute fresh food and provide culturally appropriate education and support.

In 2023, Blue Impact grants were awarded to 26 organizations for work aimed at addressing hunger and nutrition. The funding is advancing a wide array of creative projects at food banks across Texas, as well as innovative efforts to incorporate healthy food and nutrition in medical care for patients with chronic health conditions.

Helping Reduce Food Insecurity in West Texas

As the nation’s sixth-largest food bank by distribution, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger serves people at its distribution center, as well as at more than 130 partner pantries and almost 1,000 mobile distribution sites. 

Strengthening Neighborhood
and Local Assets

We all rely on the structure of our homes and neighborhoods to meet our most basic needs, so we’re investing in efforts across Texas to improve access to affordable healthy housing, transportation and physical activity.

Blue Impact grants are getting children moving with more Marathon Kids programs in Houston, Dallas and the Rio Grande Valley and new outdoor learning tools for Out Teach in Dallas County. Several organizations are using funding to provide shelter and stable housing for homeless and housing-insecure Texans.

Working with local officials and National Fitness Campaign, we have helped bring 20 outdoor fitness courts to Texas communities since 2022. 

A Path Toward Health and Fitness for San Antonio Families

San Antonio Sports and its Fit Family Challenge is helping city families become active, eat healthier and reduce diabetes and obesity rates.

National Fitness Campaign Impact

Locally Defined Solutions

Health needs are often very different from one neighborhood to another in our cities, suburb to suburb, and community to community in every region of the state.

The Blue Impact grant program is helping 26 organizations address these needs at the hyperlocal level. They include the Concilio, which is reaching Latino families in Dallas-Fort Worth at high risk of obesity. In Houston, the Rose is providing no-cost screening and diagnostic breast exams to low-income women who are uninsured.

Expanding Access to Telehealth Mental Health Services in West Texas

The Rural Telepsych for Youth program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso offers telepsychiatry sessions to residents of 15 West Texas counties.