On June 14, 2011, The Philadelphia Inquirer published a letter from PHMC President and CEO, Richard J. Cohen, in response to a May 27 feature,

"Independence Blue Cross posts 2010 profits.” In the letter, Cohen emphasized the importance of supporting PHMC partner Independence Blue Cross, which has provided financial assistance through its Charitable Medical Care Grant program to three PHMC primary care clinics since 2004. Independence Blue Cross provides resources and financial assistance to Mary Howard Health Center, the only health center in the region serving the homeless population; PHMC Health Connection, a health center in North Philadelphia; and the Rising Sun Health Center in Northeast Philadelphia.

Blue Cross' stability benefits community

It was heartening to read that, after two years of losses, Independence Blue Cross was in the black in 2010 ("Independence Blue Cross posts 2010 profits," May 27). IBC's financial stability benefits not only the well-being of its employees and customers, but also the health of our entire community.

IBC is one of the region's most generous contributors to programs to improve the health and wellness of people in the region, particularly those with limited access to health care.

Even when IBC lost millions in 2008 and 2009, its contributions did not diminish.

Since 2004, IBC has contributed nearly $1.5 million to three nonprofit community primary care clinics my organization runs. That funding is critical to our clinics' ability to serve 5,500 mostly uninsured or underinsured people who rely on us for everything from flu shots to managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

IBC also supports 33 other private, nonprofit medical clinics in the five-county area that serve more than 110,000 people, and it funds nurse-education programs that are essential to the quality of health care in our region.

Richard J. Cohen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Public Health Management Corporation
Philadelphia