Blue Cross Joins Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Establish California as the Nation's ``Fitness State''.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Blue Cross of California Foundation Presents $300,000 to Help Launch the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports at a "Get Active California Celebration"

Blue Cross of California Foundation, the charitable giving arm of WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE:WLP) in California, today joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to launch the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as part of the "Get Active California Celebration" hosted by The Walt Disney Company. The mission of the nonprofit Governor's Council is to promote the health benefits of physical fitness, exercise and sports for all Californians. Blue Cross of California Foundation presented the Governor's Council with a two-year grant totaling $300,000.

"As the State's largest health insurer, Blue Cross is committed to helping Californians, particularly children, avoid obesity and its associated conditions," said Dave Helwig, president & CEO of Blue Cross of California. "We are grateful for this opportunity to work with Governor Schwarzenegger to promote the adoption of healthy habits that will lead to a long and active life."

At today's event, Governor Schwarzenegger stressed the importance of taking steps to address the alarming increase in obesity rates, especially among children. He also commended the private sector for its participation and support of the Council, including the generous support from Blue Cross of California Foundation.

As part of its commitment to address the issues of health care access, affordability and quality, "Blue Cross of California Foundation supports family health through a multi-faceted educational effort to curb child and adolescent obesity, promote physical fitness, and encourage pregnant women not to smoke," said Cal Lockett, vice president of social responsibility for WellPoint.

Complimentary resources made available by the Foundation to all attendees of the event included: Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids, a booklet developed with the American Dietetic Association to help health care professionals counsel parents and families about proper nutrition and childhood obesity; Healthy Habits for Healthy Hearts, a family guide to heart-healthy living endorsed by the American Heart Association that offers tips for the whole family on fitness and healthy eating; and California Health Care Options Matrix, an easy-to-read brochure that provides information about free and low-cost health care coverage for individuals, families, and small businesses. The Matrix also includes a toll-free Uninsured Help Line (800-234-1317) to assist uninsured Californians with gaining access to doctors and hospitals through appropriate public or private health care insurance.

The Governor's Council seeks to establish California as the nation's "Fitness State" and to encourage all Californians to set -- and commit to achieve -- their personal exercise and fitness goals. Californians can join "ActiveCA" on the Web at www.activeca.org/register or pick up applications at retail outlets, parks and schools throughout the state. For more information about the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, please go to www.activeca.org.

Blue Cross of California and its Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. Blue Cross of California Foundation focuses on initiatives that make health care more accessible and affordable, improve quality of care, shape the development of health-related public policy and help identify best practices in medicine. The Foundation invests in social programs and partners with non-profit public charities whose objectives closely align with Blue Cross of California's health care priorities. Blue Cross of California Foundation was formed by Blue Cross of California, a health benefits company that has been serving the health care needs of Californians since 1937.