GE.com

Developing Health Program Aims to Improve Access to Primary Care in Local Communities across the United States

BALTIMORE--(September 21, 2010)-- The GE Foundation - the philanthropic organization of GE - announced today the award of $500,000 in total to two Baltimore-based community health centers in an effort to help increase access to quality healthcare across the United States. As part of the GE Developing HealthTM program, these grants will support Chase Brexton Health Services and People’s Community Health Centers, Inc. in providing increased access to healthcare in their respective communities.

Developing Health is a three-year, $25 million GE program that aims to improve access to primary care in targeted underserved communities across the United States. The program aligns with GE’s healthymagination initiative, a commitment to reduce costs, improve quality and increase access in healthcare.

“We are pleased to partner and engage with Chase Brexton Health Services and People’s Community Health Centers to help drive community access to quality healthcare in Baltimore,” said Bob Corcoran, president, GE Foundation. “A staggering number of 47 million people in the United States are uninsured or lack access to basic healthcare, and we are committed to providing services to the uninsured and underserved through grants and GE volunteering in the communities. Both Chase Brexton Health Services and People’s Community Health Centers are well equipped to provide the necessary services and make a difference in their communities.”

“Over the last 30 years at Chase Brexton, we’ve endeavored to create programs and services that enable us to provide comprehensive, affordable healthcare to our patients. This grant from the GE Foundation will help us expand our existing services and support our efforts to improve health outcomes for the people we serve,” said David H. Shippee, CEO of Chase Brexton Health Services.

The grants will expand access to primary care for residents in the area. “We pride ourselves in providing medical care to those who cannot afford it, regardless of their income or their insurance status,” said Patricia Cassatt, CEO of People’s Community Health Centers, Inc. “We are honored to be recognized by the GE Foundation for our efforts, and are excited about the prospect of providing increased access to care with the help of the Developing Health program.”
“Coupled with the GE employee volunteerism that this grant provides, we are confident that our communities will benefit greatly from all the resources that the GE Foundation can offer."

"Today, access to quality healthcare is one of the biggest challenges facing communities across the U.S.," said Mike Barber, vice president, GE healthymagination. "The city of Baltimore fares worse than the rest of the state of Maryland on almost every major health indicator, including heart disease, infant mortality and asthma. Chase Brexton Health Services and People’s Community Health Centers exemplify the type of community centers who strive to help those in need of healthcare services, and we want to support those committed to delivering quality care through the Developing Health program. At GE, we aim to change the approach to healthcare by reducing the cost, improving the quality and increasing access to care.”

Developing Health is a partnership between GE Corporate Citizenship and the GE Corporate Diversity Council. Modeled after GE’s successful philanthropic program Developing Health Globally™, the program was launched in New York City in October 2009, and has since expanded to Milwaukee, Houston, Cincinnati, Louisville and New Orleans.
The Developing Health program builds on the success of GE’s existing Developing Health Globally (DHG) program. Launched in Africa in 2004, this philanthropic program now extends to 14 countries across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. DHG aims to improve healthcare for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. DHG uses GE core competencies including technology, expertise and employee engagement to provide sustainable “enterprise solutions” that address some of the critical gaps that exist in developing-world healthcare facilities.
For more information on Developing Health Globally, visit: http://www.ge.com/citizenship/performance_areas/communities_philanthropy_health.jsp.

For more information on Developing Health visit: http://www.ge.com/foundation/developing_health.jsp.
About Chase Brexton Health Services

The mission of Chase Brexton Health Services is to provide compassionate, quality healthcare that honors diversity, inspires wellness and improves our communities.

Serving more than 14,000 patients annually, Chase Brexton educates and empowers our patients to participate in and understand their treatment and care. Chase Brexton’s services include primary care for children and adults, women’s wellness, HIV/AIDS and infectious disease medical care, HIV and STD testing, case management support, mental health, substance abuse services, dentistry, pharmacy and nutrition services. We provide care to people of every age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and socioeconomic status. We accept most insurance plans and offer a sliding fee scale for those who are un-insured or underinsured. Founded in 1978, Chase Brexton is a Federally Qualified Health Center that currently operates four centers located in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and Talbot County. For more information on our many programs and services, please visit www.ChaseBrexton.org.

About People’s Community Health Centers, Inc.

Since 1970, People’s Community Health Centers, Inc. have provided solid, dependable healthcare to people and families in metro Baltimore, regardless of income or ability to pay. Founded in a Baltimore row house by activists dedicated to equality, People’s has grown to 10 locations across Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County. Offering family medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, dental services, behavioral health and pharmacy services, People’s is a Joint Commission-accredited Federally Qualified Health Center. For more information, please visit http://peoplesbaltimore.org.

About the GE Foundation

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports U.S. and international education, developing health globally, the environment, public policy, human rights and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2009, the entire GE family — including businesses, employees, retirees and the GE Foundation — contributed more than an estimated $220 million to community and educational programs, including more than $100 million from GE Foundation. For more information, please visit www.gefoundation.com.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
Our "healthymagination" vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. Healthymagination is a $6 billion commitment that was launched in May 2009.

Contacts

GE Healthcare
Charles Ernst, 262-492-1411
charles.ernst@ge.com

or

GE Foundation

Frank Mantero, 203-373-3534 or 203-612-0603
frank.mantero@ge.com