Building a Partnership

When is a charity more than a charity? Charities that move beyond their charitable mandates multiply their influence, impact, and create sustainable sources of revenue that can take their effectiveness to a whole new level. The next frontier for greater impact in the work of food security is in the massive world of healthcare. Pamela Yager, the director of social mission at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, joins the conversation this weekend on Food First Michigan. Tune in Saturday, April 17th at 5:00 AM or Sunday, April 18th at 9:00 PM on WJR Radio or NewsTalk 760 AM. Social mission guides the way Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan does business. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has a history of a commitment to addressing the social determinants of health including through free clinics and their Building Healthy Communities program. Pam sees the potential of a partnership that goes beyond charity and how it could benefit patients, populations, and payers – a partnership that would further the mission of healthcare and charitable organizations, like food banks. Pam is the co-chair of the healthcare workgroup on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Food Security Council which is asking important questions on the role of healthcare in creating a food secure state. The workgroup is evaluating current programs like prescription for health and food as medicine initiatives to determine which are most effective. The workgroup is also exploring the role Medicaid could play in improving access to food. Solving hunger requires the participation of all stakeholders. We thank Pam for investing her one handful of life in this mission and for making a difference in creating a food secure state. The future is bright and full of potential for the blending of food security and healthcare. Find this episode and all past Food First Michigan episodes at foodfirstmi.org, on Apple Podcasts, or iHeartRadio. Apple Podcasts --> https://apple.co/38UUpFk iHeartRadio --> https://ihr.fm/38WJ2wN #FoodFirst #FoodFirstMI #FoodSecurity #MoreFoodMoreOften2MorePeople