TrueCare, a provider-sponsored health plan offering Medicaid services in Mississippi, has launched a new grant aimed at tackling healthcare disparities in underserved areas of the state.
According to TrueCare officials, the “Community Champions” grant is designed to support grassroots organizations in Mississippi by addressing the everyday realities that shape overall health, such as housing, food access, transportation, and mental health support. Funding from the grant is unrestricted, giving applicants the flexibility to meet the unique and evolving needs of the communities they serve.
“These grants are about more than just funding – they’re about empowering local leaders who understand the unique challenges in their communities and are doing something about it,” TrueCare CEO Ashley Thompson said. “By providing flexible support, we’re encouraging creativity and grassroots solutions that can make a lasting impact.”
Recognizing that clinical care is not the only major factor influencing the health of a community, TrueCare’s new grant will offer monetary support to help residents in underserved areas gain better access to necessities that could boost their health outcomes in the long term.
“We see it often — when someone lacks transportation, access to food or stable housing, their health suffers,” TrueCare Chief Medical Officer John Mitchell said. “This grant is a way to extend our care beyond the clinic walls by supporting the community organizations who are filling those gaps and making real, measurable differences in people’s lives.”
Eligible applicants include nonprofit and community-based organizations that provide social services in Mississippi. Applications will be reviewed by an internal team to identify organizations making the greatest impact on underserved communities and potential future TrueCare members.
The brief application can be accessed here by clicking the “About TrueCare” tab and selecting “Community Champions.” The deadline to apply is July 1.
TrueCare, licensed in Mississippi as Mississippi True, is the state’s Medicaid health plan operated by Mississippi True, a nonprofit corporation and provider-sponsored health plan. The corporation is owned by 60 Mississippi hospitals and health systems. TrueCare’s provider-payer alliance model gives providers a voice in decision-making, prioritizes patient care, optimizes care coordination, and provides members access to solutions that address their needs beyond healthcare.
