Guest Column: Elevance Health — Staying True to Blue
Published on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 2:48 p.m.
- Shantanu Agrawal
As a physician and Chief Health Officer of Elevance Health, I am honored to lead efforts to address the social drivers of health that impact our communities. Through this initiative, my team is focused on working with partners to help improve health outcomes.
Our proposed acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) is more than just a collaboration; it will transform Louisiana's health for the better, improve outcomes, and provide the affordable housing that Louisianans need and deserve. Our goal is to provide affordable care.
Eighty percent of what promotes and improves human health takes place outside of traditional medical settings. Lack of nutritious food, stable housing, social support, or inability to access health care are all barriers to community health.
These are just a few of the reasons why Elevance Health is committed to total human health – the physical, behavioral and social health of all of our members.
Our 100,000+ employees take an integrated approach across our portfolio of medical, digital, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical and complex care solutions, serving more than 115 million people across the spectrum of care. We offer We use extensive data to drive improvements in individual health outcomes, including social factors such as reliable transportation, access to nutritious food, and safe and affordable housing. Identify the one with the highest gender.
Today, the stark reality is that Louisiana is being left behind. Louisianans have shorter life expectancies, higher infant mortality rates, and a higher burden of obesity and chronic disease than people in other states.
By combining our organizations, our members will continue to receive the reliable community care that we have known for 90 years at BCBSLA, with Elevance Health's unparalleled reach, cutting-edge capabilities and technology; Powered by a whole-health approach.
For Louisiana's 1.9 million members and policyholders, this means digital-first solutions that empower people to take charge of their own care, case management services to help navigate the health care system, behavioral health services, It also includes programs that help people deal with complex and chronic conditions such as diabetes and cancer. We also included access to doulas in our Medicaid program to reduce barriers to routine prenatal care and improve birth outcomes.
At the same time, the introduction of Elevance Health allows BCBSLA members to continue to have the same access to Louisiana's network of care while benefiting from new services no matter what parish or town they are based in.
We will continue to work with BCBSLA to similarly focus on the health care needs of people across the state.
From Ruston to Lafayette, we partner with community-based organizations and health care providers to increase access to care and support infrastructure for everyone we are privileged to serve. and build resources.
I truly believe that the health of individuals is greatly influenced by the health of their communities, and this partnership is poised to significantly improve the health of our state and all of its people.
Dr. Shantanu Agrawal
Elevance Health Chief Health Officer
