The Missouri Foundation for Health was created in January 2000 to receive assets accumulated by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri (BCBSMo) prior to its conversion from nonprofit to for-profit status. Today, MFH is the largest health care foundation in the state and is among the largest of its kind in the country.

Below is a brief narrative timeline of our history:

1994 - 1995
BCBSMo, a nonprofit health services corporation, creates RightCHOICE Managed Care Inc., a new for-profit subsidiary.

Consumer groups urge state regulators to assure that assets transferred to RightChoice by BCBSMo continue to be used for the benefit of the public.

1996 - 1998

Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon files suit against BCBSMo and its subsidiaries, including RightCHOICE, charging violation of Missouri laws governing conversion of non-profits to for-profit status.

1999 - 2000
Under direction from the Missouri Supreme Court, the parties agree to dismiss lawsuits and to enter into a settlement creating The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH), a public benefit nonprofit corporation. BCBSMo transfers $12.8 million and 14,982,500 shares of RightCHOICE stock directly to the Foundation.

A Nominating Committee is formed under the Foundation's bylaws, and charged with nominating the organization's first board members. When the Board is established in December 2000 the members of the Nominating Committee become the first members of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

2001
In October, Dr. James R. Kimmey is hired as the first chief executive officer.

RightCHOICE and WellPoint Health Networks merge, making the Foundation's shares worth about $733 million. Added to an earlier stock sale, RightCHOICE creates some $900 million in value for MFH.

2002
CAC conducts its first series of community forums in the Foundation's service area of 84 counties and City of St. Louis.

In August, MFH awards its first round of grants addressing three initiative areas: cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention, services improvement and strengthening the core services of eligible organizations.

2003
In August, MFH celebrates one year of grantmaking. The Foundation distributes more than $32.5 million to community organizations from August 2002 - August 2003.

MFH hosts first annual Health Summit in Jefferson City, addressing disparities.

2004
MFH launches a $40 million, nine-year Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Initiative.

2005
MFH hosts its second Health Summit in St. Louis entitled "Weighing in on Children's Obesity: Strategies that Work."

MFH launches its Healthy & Active Communities Initiative, aimed at combating the problem of obesity in Missouri.

2006
MFH institutes its Priority Area Grant funding effort, which targets for specific health issues: dental sealants for children, self-management of diabetes, health literacy, and co-occurring mental/substance abuse disorders.

MFH hosts its third Health Summit in Jefferson City, addressing the issue of access to health care for people living in in rural and small city settings.

MFH's total for grantmaking since 2002 tops $200 million.

2007
MFH announces largest single grant - $11 million - to enable 30,000 girls and women to receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. The effort ensures that all underserved, underinsured and uninsured females in Missouri can get the vaccine.

MFH hosts its fourth Health Summit in St. Louis entitled "The Intersection of Health and Business."