ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., April 17,
2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of Georgia, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE:
WCG) company, is contributing more than $10,000 to support the March of Dimes in its
mission to help give all babies a healthy start in life by
preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Every year, approximately 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely in
the United States. Preterm birth,
defined as babies born before the 37th week of
pregnancy, is the leading cause of infant death. Premature babies
are also at greater risk of neurological disorders and other health
problems.
WellCare will serve as a local sponsor for the March of Dimes'
signature fundraising event, March for Babies, which will be held
in Atlanta on April 22, 2017 at the Georgia World Congress
Center.
"We're grateful and excited to have WellCare of Georgia playing a leading role with March for
Babies," said Todd Hermon, March of
Dimes regional vice president. "The passion and commitment to the
health of babies from the WellCare staff will be a tremendous
factor driving the success of the event. March for Babies, the
March of Dimes' largest fundraisers, supports programs that help
moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies and healthy babies and
allow us the opportunity to help the community we love."
Georgia earned a "D" grade for
its 10.8 percent preterm birth rate, according to the 2016 March of
Dimes Premature Birth Report Card.
As they grow older, premature babies may have a harder time in
school and are more likely to have learning and behavioral problems
throughout childhood. This may lead to low test scores, having to
repeat grades and needing special education services. About 1 in 3
children born prematurely will need special school services at some
point during their school years. The Institute of Medicine says
these services cost an estimated $2,200 per child per year.
"Babies born to mothers who lack prenatal care have three times
the chance of being born at a low birth weight," said Sonya Nelson
WellCare's state president in Georgia. "WellCare is committed to continually
improving the care and services we provide to our members,
especially expectant mothers, to help them have healthy pregnancies
and healthy babies."
To learn more about the March of Dimes, visit marchofdimes.org.
To sign up for March for Babies, visit marchforbabies.org.
To follow WellCare's activities, join us on Facebook using
#WellCareWalks.
As of Dec. 31, 2016, WellCare
serves approximately 571,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan
members, 40,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 23,000 Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how WellCare
cares for Georgians, watch Gloria's story at
http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in
Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing
government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through
Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans,
to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical
needs. The company serves approximately 3.9 million members
nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2016. For
more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website
at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at
https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.