Humana provides aid to support multi-state disaster recovery efforts following
catastrophic Hurricane Katrina
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced
today that The Humana Foundation will donate $1,000,000 to disaster relief
efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, estimated to be the costliest
natural disaster in U.S. history, Humana Chief Executive Officer and Humana
Foundation Chairman Michael B. McCallister said, "The damage sustained by the
communities and citizens Humana serves in the Gulf Coast is beyond a disaster
-- it is a terrible human tragedy. We are committed to help people in these
areas recover as quickly as possible and pledge to them our ongoing support."
Humana will donate $500,000 to the efforts of the American Red Cross and
an additional $500,000 to local relief agencies in affected communities that
sustained the most property damage and loss of life. In addition, the Humana
Foundation will provide an unlimited match -- dollar for dollar -- to all
donations made by Humana associates through November 1, 2005, to the American
Red Cross hurricane relief effort.
The American Red Cross said it will mount its largest relief effort in
history with a goal of raising $130 million for disaster relief for victims of
the hurricane. Hurricane Katrina is estimated to have caused at least $25
billion in damage -- exceeding the $21 billion (in 2005 dollars) that
Hurricane Andrew caused in 1992. Hurricane Katrina has left 80 percent of New
Orleans under water, caused at least 100 deaths and left more than one million
people without electrical power or drinking water.
"The needs of the affected communities are profound and getting worse
every day," said Hassan Rifaat, M.D., chief executive officer of Humana's
Southeast Region and a resident of New Orleans. "We felt compelled to come
forward with an immediate gift in hopes this grant will help the people of the
Gulf Coast region to recover from this catastrophic storm, and rebuild their
lives and communities."
Dr. Rifaat oversees an office of 225 Humana associates working in the
company's suburban (Metairie) New Orleans market office and elsewhere in
Louisiana. In addition, Humana Military Healthcare Services (HMHS) has a total
of 142 associates working in the Gulf Coast region states.
To donate to the American Red Cross, call 1-800-HELP NOW or visit the Web
site at http://www.redcross.org.
About The Humana Foundation
The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of
Humana Inc., one of the nation's leading health benefits companies. A private
foundation located in Louisville, Kentucky -- the site of Humana's corporate
headquarters -- The Humana Foundation identifies, funds, and nurtures projects
and organizations in three fields: domestic and international health,
education, and civic and cultural development in communities where the company
has a meaningful presence.
About Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc.
Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. is one of the largest health
benefit plans in the New Orleans market and the third largest in the state of
Louisiana with approximately 180,000 commercial medical members and
approximately 36,000 members in the Medicare Advantage program.
About Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's
largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 7
million medical members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health
insurance products and related services -- through traditional and consumer-
choice plans -- to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and
individuals.
Over its 44-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to
meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer
engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health
plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.
More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the
Investor Relations page of the company's web site at http://www.humana.com,
including copies of:
- Annual report to stockholders;
- Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
- Most recent investor conference presentation;
- Quarterly earnings press releases;
- Audio archive of most recent earnings release conference call;
- Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates,
times, and access number, as well as planned interaction with
institutional investors);
- Corporate Governance Information.
SOURCE Humana Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.humana.com
http://www.redcross.org
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/423125.html
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CONTACT:
Virginia K. Judd of The Humana Foundation,
+1-502-580-3041, or vjudd@humana.com ; or Ross McLerran of Humana
Corporate Communications, +1-210-617-1771, or cell,
+1-210-325-9904, or rmclerran@humana.com
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