TennCare Joins the Million Hearts Initiative

Striving to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017

NASHVILLE – The Bureau of TennCare announced today its partnership with the Million Hearts initiative.  Million Hearts was launched in 2011 by the federal Department of Health and Human Services to develop a public-private partnership with likeminded organizations to make an impact on heart disease in the United States.  Co-leaders of this initiative include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

TennCare joins more than 100 partners in this effort.  This includes organizations such as New York State Department of Health, Virginia Department of Health, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Cardiology, Walgreens, YMCA of America and many more.   

The Million Hearts initiative will provide partners with resources such as tools to assess risk for heart disease, tool kits for organizations to help educate employees, and action guides for improving cardiovascular health. 

“We at TennCare are proud to join Million Hearts and support such a worthy initiative,” said Health Care Finance and Administration Deputy Commissioner Darin Gordon.  “The goals of Million Hearts align with TennCare not only in improving the health and wellness for our members but also for our employees.  Heart disease and strokes are two of the leading causes of death in the United States and efforts such as this initiative can help reduce that number significantly.”    

In addition to formally joining Million Hearts as a partner, the Bureau of TennCare has developed an internal working group to develop resources and educational opportunities in conjunction with the TennCare Managed Care Organizations and other third party stakeholders.  TennCare will bring awareness of this initiative through member communications, provider education, and coordination with the Working for a Healthier Tennessee initiative for TennCare employees.   

To learn more about Million Hearts visit. www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.