August 2001
Wonderful things can and do happen when people get together to work and solve problems. This is just what is happening all across the country with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans involved in many activities and programs to improve the health and lives of not only our members, but in many cases the general population.
Thanks to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ® , on June 25 and 26, a Forum on End-of-Life Benefits was held in Washington, DC. I had the pleasure and honor of being asked to bring this group together. Representatives of many Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association gathered to share programs they sponsor to improve care for people with chronic or terminal illness, and to learn from each other how to improve the dying process, both for these patients and their families. Blue Cross and Blue Shield programs in Montana, Washington, and New York made presentations, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield programs in Hawaii, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Carolina shared written reports.
The document that is enclosed includes descriptions of these ‘models’ of end-of-life programs currently being participated in, or sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. We know there must be other programs available, and we would like to hear from you, so we can share your work with others.
Sincerely,
Charles Butler
Vice President
Government and Public Relations
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana
