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www.HartfordBusiness.com • April 27, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 27 CONNECTICUT HEALTH CARE: LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS 108 Leigus Road, Wallingford, CT 06492 | Anthem.com | p: (203) 677 8170 April 27, 2020 There are rare experiences in our lifetime that have pro- found, pervasive and lasting impacts. The COVID-19 pandem- ic is one of those rare experiences. The day-to-day social dis- tancing challenges pale in comparison to the deep financial and health impacts that have affected many in Connecticut. Yet, I find myself optimistic and very grateful. Grateful for the women and men on the front lines of the health care system, putting the health and safety of others above their own. Grateful for first responders, grocery workers, delivery drivers and the many others who are keeping us safe and helping us meet our basic needs. And grateful for the height- ened humanity and collaboration we are seeing all across Connecticut with a renewed sense of what connects us rather than what divides us. We have seen that responding to COVID-19 truly takes all of us, working together. During this time, Anthem remains focused on being there for Connecticut and all the com- munities we serve. Some of the steps that Anthem is taking include promoting access to COVID-19 testing and care, mak- ing it easier for providers to manage resources and capacity and keeping our customers and members front and center as we help them navigate this very challenging time in a way that meets their individual needs. This also includes being a good community partner by doing our part to support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. I am particularly inspired by our associates who have stepped up to help those in need in many ways, providing meals to the frontline healthcare workers and engaging in 'virtual volunteering' such as online teaching and telephone outreach to seniors or those isolated, to name just a few. As we work to address today's needs, we remain mindful of our commitment to create a simpler, more affordable and more effective healthcare experience for those who count on us. There is one thing that is certain: as we emerge from the current cri- sis, our new 'normal' will be different than it was before. The pandemic has produced many learnings. It has provid- ed more data that the impacts of disease are not the same on all of us. We have found we can be more agile in our approach to problem solving as we adapt to this rapidly evolving situa- tion. And we are learning there are many cost-effective ways for our talented Connecticut physicians and other health care providers to safely deliver care to those who need it, improv- ing access and health equity. In partnership with others, Anthem is excited to embrace these learnings and leverage the good we have seen so that Connecticut and its people emerge from this pandemic even stronger. This is the new normal we aspire to. Jill Rubin Hummel President Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield in Connecticut