This program is designed to advance the AGO's strategic health care priorities, which are also being advanced by the AGO's work in several areas including enforcement of health care laws, the Community Benefits Program, and active participation on the Health Care Quality and Cost Council, the Healthy Mass Initiative, the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Prevention of Medical Errors, and the Health Disparities Council.

The purpose of the Health Grants is to increase the capacity of municipal government agencies or boards and non-profit organizations within Massachusetts to address the following three specific priorities for underserved populations:

  • reducing health disparities;
  • managing chronic disease; and/or
  • promoting wellness for underserved populations.

The grants are made possible under the terms of settlements reached by Attorney General Coakley's Office as a result of investigations of marketing conduct of pharmaceutical manufacturers for the blockbuster drugs Bextra, Vioxx and Zyprexa as well as with Hopkinton based medical defense manufacturer Stryker.

Seven recipients were selected after the office solicited proposals in September 2010. The seven recipients are:

  • Berkshire Health Systems/Tri-Town Health Department , Lenox/Lee/Stockbridge: $250,000 to help reduce hypertension in the community through a county-wide blood pressure education and targeted clinical interventions.
  • Boston Medical Center, Boston: $242,000 to expand their Centering Pregnancy program and reduce tobacco use in expecting mothers to reduce disparities in preterm birth and low birth weight.
  • Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton: $163,000 to expand care management of patients with secondary psychological issues accompanying chronic diseases or other complex medical issues.
  • East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Boston: $250,000 to expand outreach and better track patients with the chronic diseases of adult and pediatric asthma and Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease (COPD).
  • HealthFirst Family Care Center , Fall River: $250,000 to expand their case management program for patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
  • Project COPE, Inc., Lynn:$250,000 to do outreach to and intensive case management with Black and Latina women and youth to reduce the risk of HIV and other infectious diseases.
  • Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, Orange: $95,000 to promote wellness and nutrition of low-income teens and increase food self-reliance among low-income households.

The grant funds must be utilized by February 15, 2013.