Steve Wevodau

AMERIGROUP Corporation (NYSE: AGP) announced today that it has established the AMERIGROUP Public Policy Institute, which will enhance the Company’s focus on improving public healthcare programs and initiatives that serve people who are financially vulnerable, who have disabilities or who are elderly and frail.The Public Policy Institute, which will be a joint venture of AMERIGROUP Corporation and the AMERIGROUP Foundation, will examine a wide range of issues related to Medicaid, Medicare and other government programs that provide healthcare to nearly 100 million Americans. The Institute’s goal is to identify, assess and promote innovative solutions that help these Americans live healthier, more independent lives and also help to control the cost of public healthcare programs. To accomplish this, the Institute will be supporting original research, surveys and program development, among other activities.

The Public Policy Institute will be led by AMERIGROUP Corporation Executive Vice President Nancy L. Grden. Since joining AMERIGROUP in 2001, Grden has served in a variety of roles, including the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer, and has led its development of new programs, providing her with extensive experience with and knowledge of public-private healthcare partnerships. Grden will be responsible for the operations of the Institute and will continue to oversee the Company’s branding and eHealth strategies. She has a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, a master’s of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina, a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bucknell University, and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware.

“In the next few years, we are likely to see dramatic changes in the way healthcare is delivered, measured and financed. Throughout the course of this debate, we must ensure that the voice of those we serve - whether a low-income mother, an elderly neighbor or a person with a disability - is heard,” said James G. Carlson, AMERIGROUP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The AMERIGROUP Public Policy Institute will seek to translate the experience we have had with these populations over 15 years into innovative programs and policies that can be implemented on a larger scale.

“I’m very pleased that Nancy Grden will be leading this important effort for AMERIGROUP. Her knowledge and creativity will help us play a constructive role in the national debate over our healthcare system and complement the work being done by our associates on behalf of 1.7 million members.”

AMERIGROUP Corporation’s sole focus is administering publicly funded healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. The Company is a national leader in programs for people with disabilities and long-term illnesses and supports initiatives that help people get the healthcare they need outside institutions and live independently at home.

About AMERIGROUP Corporation

AMERIGROUP Corporation, headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, improves healthcare access and quality for the financially vulnerable, seniors and people with disabilities by developing innovative managed health services for the public sector. As of September 30, 2008, through its subsidiaries, AMERIGROUP Corporation serves approximately 1.7 million people in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information, visit www.amerigroupcorp.com.

About AMERIGROUP Foundation

The AMERIGROUP Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AMERIGROUP Corporation, a multi-state managed healthcare company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Foundation works to create healthy communities by fostering access to healthcare, encouraging safe and healthy children and families, and promoting community improvement and healthy neighborhoods. For more information about the AMERIGROUP Foundation, visit www.amerigroupcorp.com/foundation.

 

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SOURCE AMERIGROUP Corporation