CHICAGO (November 9, 2009) – Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has been listed as one of the country’s top “Military Friendly Employers” by G.I. Jobs magazine.  The recognition is significant because HCSC is the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.  With only two percent of American companies on the list, HCSC’s inclusion is indicative of its commitment to diversity as well as its commitment to the military. 

“This isn’t about charity or patriotism. It’s about good business. The companies on our list understand that,” said Rich McCormack, who heads G.I. Jobs’ list research.

“Veterans have a broad range of experience and have brought valuable skills to our workforce,” said Carolyn H. Clift, chief diversity officer for HCSC.  “HCSC is proud to employ more than 500 veterans, many of whom can be credited with HCSC’s success as an honorable health insurance carrier.”

Five thousand employers are eligible for the recognition, but only 100 are considered “Military Friendly Employers.”  As a result, the list is commonly used as the primary benchmark for corporate recruiting programs aimed at veterans. Criteria for the rankings included assets dedicated to military hiring (28%), Reserve/Guard policies (18%), percentage of new hires who are veterans (14%), veteran training programs (10%) and previous three years’ rankings (30%).

A full list of all 100 Military Friendly Employers can be found at www.gijobs.com/top100pr.

About G.I. Jobs:

G.I. Jobs (www.gijobs.com) is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. The company also publishes Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines.  Victory Media also produces an annual list of Military Friendly Schools and Military Friendly Franchises.

About Health Care Service Corporation:

Health Care Service Corporation is the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with 12.4 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC has a rating of AA- (Very Strong) from Standard and Poor’s, Aa3 (Excellent) from Moody’s and A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best Company. For more information, visit www.HCSC.com.

Media Contact:

Ross Blackstone, HCSC (972-766-1735, Ross_Blackstone@HCSC.net)

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