UnitedHealth Group Launches $100 Million "United Minnesota" Community Initiative
Multi-Year Initiative to Help Improve State's Health, Education and Well-Being by Contributing to Minnesota Community Organizations
Minneapolis (Nov. 14, 2007) – UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) today announced the launch of a ten-year, $100 million initiative designed to support communities in the state of Minnesota, where UnitedHealth Group has its headquarters and 20 other facilities. The initiative, “United Minnesota,” is designed to advance health, education and social well-being in the state through alliances with community organizations that have demonstrated success in improving the quality of life in their communities and the state.
Stephen J. Hemsley, president and chief executive officer, UnitedHealth Group, said, “UnitedHealth Group takes great pride in its Minnesota roots, our home state for thirty years. There are more than 10,000 people working for UnitedHealth Group in the state, and we are passionate about our corporate responsibility to contribute to improving health care and engaging in the communities where we live and work. ‘United Minnesota’ will build on our existing community efforts and our employees’ local volunteer activities, as well as our legacy of corporate philanthropy and social outreach across the country. We are excited about broadening our commitment to the people of Minnesota – now and for many years to come.”
Minnesota residents have long enjoyed a tradition of good health and well-being. According to United Health Foundation’s “America’s Health Rankings TM,” Minnesota has been ranked either the first or second healthiest state in the country since the rankings began in 1990. At the same time, however, “America’s Health Rankings,” as well as research by other organizations, have shown there remains significant health, educational and social needs to be addressed in Minnesota. Through the “United Minnesota” initiative, UnitedHealth Group and its employees will support organizations that promote a higher quality of life for residents of the state.
Initial organizations participating in “United Minnesota” include:
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Portico Healthnet, a local, grassroots nonprofit, serves over 10,000 Minnesotans annually who live without health care coverage. Through outreach to the uninsured, public health program enrollment, and a unique coverage/care management program, Portico helps vulnerable populations access health care and effectively manage their health care needs. Specifically, the “United Minnesota” initiative will help support a new urban school-based model to enroll children and families in public health programs.
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Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. MELF identifies the most cost-effective strategies for preparing children from low-income families for kindergarten. Through community volunteers and partnerships, the Greater Twin Cities of United Way is leading the way in solving our community's most critical issues. The “United Minnesota” initiative will support the Early Childhood Initiative, a joint effort of MELF and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. This project aims to increase access to quality care for at-risk children, improve the quality of child care, increase parental education and improve early childhood education policy.
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The University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota is one of the most comprehensive public universities in the United States. It is both the state’s land-grant university, with a strong tradition of education and public service, and the state's primary research university, with faculty of national and international reputation. The University’s Academic Health Center (AHC), home to the Medical School, educates nearly 70 percent of Minnesota’s health care professionals, and is one of the key economic drivers behind Minnesota’s expanding health care services and bioscience industry. The AHC also addresses health disparities in low-income communities through its work with such clinics as the University’s Community-University Health Care Center. The Medical School is dedicated to preeminent primary care medicine, exemplary specialty care, innovative research and serving diverse populations in rural and urban Minnesota.
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The Children’s Theater Company (CTC). The CTC is internationally renowned, creating extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people. Founded in 1965, the CTC has served nearly 6 million young people and families and has set standards of excellence in the quality of its productions, commitment to new work, rigorous Theatre Arts Training programs, and innovative education and community partnerships. The CTC has received numerous awards including the Tony® Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre - the first award ever bestowed upon a theatre for young people – and was named America's number one theater for young people and families by TIME magazine.
Mr. Hemsley added, “We are excited to be working with organizations that have a proven capacity to find long-term solutions to address the social well-being needs of our communities. This will also give us the opportunity to share and exchange knowledge, provide our employees with additional venues for volunteerism and help to further instill a sense of social responsibility throughout our organization. This will be a productive and valuable relationship for everyone involved.”
Bill King, president of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, said, “I congratulate UnitedHealth Group on the launch of its ‘United Minnesota’ community initiative to ensure Minnesota is the healthiest possible place to live, learn and grow. Foundations and corporate givers in Minnesota and across the nation are working tirelessly to find the most effective solutions for improving the health, education and well-being of our communities. ‘United Minnesota’ will provide critically needed new and sustained funding to help community organizations in these efforts.”
“United Minnesota” advances the Company’s overall social mission by supporting community organizations that achieve better quality, cost-effective health and medical outcomes; expand access to health services for people in challenging circumstances; and improve the well-being of the community.
This $100 million initiative is in addition to the ongoing work of the United Health Foundation and the Company’s support of the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. The Company will also continue to deliver on its social mission of improving health, education and well-being in the region and across the nation.
UnitedHealth Group intends to proactively seek out and evaluate additional organizations for consideration in the “United Minnesota” initiative. Organizations whose priorities align closely with the Company’s social mission and the initiative’s purpose, and that have a proven record of achieving results for the people of Minnesota can learn more by clicking on “Healthier Communities” at www.unitedhealthgroup.com, and then clicking on “Community Programs" and then "Encouraging community service."
Additional information about United Minnesota can be found here.
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, Uniprise, OptumHealth and Ingenix. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.
