Special Feature
WellPoint
different set of users,” Dr. Morales explains. “But the overall goal is the same: to help people determine whether they
“Our goal is to help children and families who are
qualify for state-supported health insur-
uninsured acquire quality medical insurance coverage.
ance or whether they can afford to buy
Our commitment is to help children and families navigate
into a commercial program. Once they
public and private health care insurance options in a
have the answer, they can start making
language they understand and lead a healthy life.”
decisions about how to take care of themselves and their families.” He notes that WellPoint deliberately does not promote its own programs
Ray Morales, MD Director of Social Investment Programs WellPoint, Inc.
through these vehicles. “At this level, we’re really trying to
quality of care people receive.
educational materials that help parents
help people understand the system, to
WellPoint is currently reaching out
and children learn about the simple,
appreciate the kinds of options available
to the 230,000 people who live within
healthy habits they can cultivate to
to
indicates.
the L.A. Housing Authority, circulating a
prevent illness and injuries. These range
“Because many people really don’t know
Spanish/English educational comic book
across issues from childhood obesity and
that they have choices at all.”
by celebrated cartoonist and radio host
physical fitness to smoking cessation
Martha Montoya. The book’s message is
for teens.
them,”
Dr.
Morales
Relieving the burden on the ER
that everyone should find and depend on
Building bridges
a primary medical caregiver.
Emergency rooms offer a clear illus-
“The point of it is this: You need to
WellPoint is also partnering with
tration of this fact. Significant numbers
have a doctor you can go to for routine
the American College of Physicians
of people without health coverage—or
medical issues,” says Dr. Morales.
Foundation to produce a white paper
who lack a clear understanding of the
“Reserve the emergency room for true
advocating for the standardization of
health care system—turn to the ER for
emergencies.”
prescriptions across the United States.
basic medical care. This increases wait
WellPoint works with business
The goal is to reduce medical errors and
times, raises overall system costs, and
partners and policy makers to control the
improve outcomes. Dr. Morales cites a
ultimately has a negative impact on the
costs of health coverage by providing
simple but compelling example to illus-
Profiles in Diversity Journal
January/February 2006
43