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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross to Receive Urban League's Public Service Award

Philadelphia, PA - December 2, 2005 - Independence Blue Cross today will receive the 2005 Urban League of Philadelphia Community Service Award that recognizes community leaders who have volunteered their time, talent, and resources to advancing the organization's mission of empowering African Americans.

The award will be presented at the 3rd annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Community Empowerment Awards Luncheon today at the LOEWS Hotel in Philadelphia.

"At Independence Blue Cross, we value a workplace where diversity is embraced," said Joseph A. Frick, President & CEO of Independence Blue Cross (IBC). "We are honored to be recognized by the Urban League of Philadelphia, an organization that shares our commitment to racial equality in economic development, employment and education."

The award highlights IBC's long-standing partnership with the Urban League of Philadelphia and its ongoing support for its programs, such as the Urban Leadership Forum, a leadership-training program for executives of color. The Forum has trained hundreds of managers since it began in 1988. IBC has been an active participant in this program for the past 15 years.

In addition, the award recognizes that in 2004 IBC was the first title sponsor of the Urban League's Song of Equality Gala. The event paid tribute to some of America's most prominent songwriters who have used music as a vehicle to promote unity and economically empower individuals within the African-American community. Proceeds from the Gala benefited the Urban League of Philadelphia's community empowerment programs.

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Community Empowerment Awards Luncheon was named after the fourth Executive Director of the National Urban League who in 1961 brought the League into the civil rights arena.

The Honorable Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO and former Mayor of New Orleans, will be the keynote speaker at the awards luncheon. Morial, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, will share his experiences in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina and discuss the Urban League's economic empowerment agenda.

About The Urban League of Philadelphia
The Urban League of Philadelphia (ULP) is a non-profit, nonpartisan, civil rights and community-based movement that provides direct services, research and policy advocacy to help individuals and communities reach their fullest potential.  Primarily working with African-Americans and other emerging ethnic communities, the ULP is an affiliate of the National Urban League.  The National Urban League serves over 2 million people through professionally staffed affiliates located in 105 urban areas across the U.S., working to close equality gaps for people at all economic levels and stages of life, and giving residents a chance to give back as volunteers. Visit us at www.urbanleaguephila.org.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For more than 65 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers.

Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, earlier this year, Independence Blue Cross's Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.

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