CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Molina Healthcare of Illinois (“Molina”), in collaboration with The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), is announcing a $3.7 million investment in the MolinaCares Illinois Health Equity Initiative. In total, Molina has dedicated approximately $5 million to improve equity in health outcomes for under-resourced communities in Illinois.
“As part of our commitment to advancing health equity, Molina is deploying a multi-pronged approach that targets various areas of health care, working alongside community-based organizations and providers,” said Matthew Wolf, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois. “These partnerships are an important part of Molina’s efforts to connect more Illinoisans to crucial services to build healthier communities.”
Approximately 12% of Illinois’ population currently lives below the poverty line, with many of them having limited access to health care, housing, healthy foods, transportation, and jobs. Studies have shown those who live in poverty tend to have a higher disease burden, according to the National Health Council.
“Unsafe neighborhoods, unemployment, and poverty can be risk factors that perpetuate health inequities and poor health outcomes in communities,” said Jurea Crudup, CEO of Awaken Foundation L3C, one of the grant recipients. “We are thankful to Molina Healthcare of Illinois for recognizing the importance of investing in resources like our apprenticeship program, which commits to uplifting and empowering individuals in Rockford through skills training and connections to economic opportunities.”
Dedicated to enhancing whole person care for Illinois families, Molina will be investing in partnerships focused on:
Health-Related Social Needs
Molina is partnering with local organizations to address social needs that affect generational poverty. In addition to workforce and food supports, Molina is developing solutions that increase affordable housing units, utility and rental payment assistance, and connections to housing resources.
Health Transformation Collaboratives
Molina is committed to improving the delivery of health care services in neighborhoods that are disproportionately impacted by health-related social needs and health disparities. Molina’s partnerships with health transformation collaborative groups are aimed at enhancing members’ access to, and engagement with, case managers, care coordinators, community health workers, and other frontline providers to support behavioral health and maternal child health.
Population Health
Molina is building an internal population health team dedicated to aiding under-resourced communities within Illinois. Funding is also going towards improvements in discharge planning for individuals transitioning from medical institutions to next levels of care as well as paramedicine and medical mobile units for hard-to-reach populations.
Adolescent Behavioral Health
Molina is investing in programs that expand behavioral health services for children and teens residing in underserved areas. Studies continue to show increases in behavioral health utilization and diagnoses among children. For 10 years before the pandemic, behavioral health issues increased by 40% among U.S. high school students.
Maternal Health
In Illinois, 14.2% of expecting mothers face inadequate prenatal care and 34.3% of Illinois counties are classified as maternity care deserts. To improve maternal and infant health outcomes, Molina is investing in resources that increase pre- and post-natal care to provide expectant and new parents with food and supplies as they welcome their babies.
Community Reintegration
Many formerly incarcerated individuals suffer from mental health issues, substance use disorders, and/or lack of resources. Molina is partnering with local entities to enhance services that support reintegration into the community, including connections to education and the workforce. Illinois has seen a 37% recidivism rate of its formerly incarcerated people. Reintegration support is crucial to addressing recidivism.
About The MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Illinois
Molina Healthcare of Illinois has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2013. The Company serves members through Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid programs throughout Illinois. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Illinois, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
