TPC seeks President Obama's support for private and community foundations in the field of health

As the nation awaits President Obama's address on health care reform to a joint session of Congress, The Philanthropic Collaborative (TPC) sent today a letter to the President seeking his support for the efforts of private and community foundations in the field of health.

During the month of August, public interest grew in the social and economic effectiveness of health-related philanthropic activities. In response, TPC Executive Director and former White House economic aide Brian Reardon is reaching out to the President with the most recent data on the charitable sector's contributions to America's health. TPC's two recent studies shed light on this important partner in America's health:

• Foundation support for health and wellness programs in 2007 produced an estimated $75 billion in direct economic benefits for the communities they serve.
• At least two of every three grant dollars in health benefit low-income and minority populations.

In the letter, Reardon points out that, "Notably absent from the debate over health care reform has been a vigorous discussion of the philanthropic community's innovative and entrepreneurial approach to ensuring Americans of all backgrounds have access to the health care they need." Reardon continues, "Some of the greatest medical advancements of the last century were funded through foundation grants, including the founding of the first school of public health at John Hopkins University, the discovery of the polio vaccine, hospice care, and the precursor of the modern 911 system."