State Health and Value Strategies (SHVS), in partnership with Manatt Health, Health Equity Solutions, Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms (CHIR), the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), Bailit Health, and GMMB, developed this resource page to serve as an accessible “one-stop” source of health equity information for states. This resource is designed to support states seeking to make coverage and essential services available to all of their residents, regardless of where they live, how much money they make, or discrimination they face. SHVS will update this page frequently with new resources as they become available.
Under the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services final rule, state Medicaid agencies will need to create and support a Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) and Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) by July 2025, with some requirements phased-in over a longer time period. SHVS has published additional template materials designed to support state agencies in recruiting members for the BAC. States can customize the content of the materials, which now include a recruitment flyer, template social media graphics, in addition to core messages, website copy, and newsletter copy.
North Carolina Medicaid is seeking Medicaid enrollees, family members or caregivers to serve on two new groups–a Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and a Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC). The MAC and BAC are designed to center the lived experience of enrollees, their families and caregivers and will provide a more formalized structure for enrollees and interested parties to provide feedback to the state about Medicaid.
The Maine Department of Health & Human Services issued a survey seeking public input to choose a new name for the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. The goal is to choose a program name that is more memorable and represents the EPSDT program goals of early screening, diagnosis, and access to treatment services for children and youth under age 21.
Governor Maura Healey signed legislation that renames the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility, to reflect the administration’s goal of ushering in a new, more inclusive model for disability career services and independent living. The new name directly resulted from feedback from the disability community and was selected following research, focus groups, surveys, and conversations with the community, businesses, providers, and advocacy organizations.
The Camden Coalition’s Initiating National Strategies for Partnership, Inclusion, and Real Engagement (INSPIRE) is a coordinated team of organizations and people with lived experience committed to advancing the practice of authentic community engagement in the healthcare system. INSPIRE’s recent report provides a roadmap for how healthcare organizations and people with lived experience can realize the full potential of authentic community engagement to build trust, advance health equity, create cost-savings and efficiencies, and create healthy and thriving communities.
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will partner with California Black Media to host six community engagement events throughout the month of July. DHCS leadership and representatives from Medi-Cal managed care plans will meet with newspaper publishers and business, faith, and community-based leaders in the Black community to discuss new Medi-Cal benefits and services and how Black media outlets can help share information with Medi-Cal members and their families.
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services will host a series of community stakeholder meetings to learn more about how to collectively support current and potential members.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) hosted a Spanish-language webinar on June 6 to discuss the new NCDHHS Community and Partner Engagement Initiative with North Carolina community advocates, partners, leaders and other members of the Hispanic and Latinx community. NCDHHS launched the initiative earlier this year to address ongoing health disparities.
The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) announced it will hold a kickoff meeting for public and stakeholder engagement related to oversight of healthcare consolidation. Earlier this year, the state passed legislation which gives OSI tools to provide oversight of certain hospital transactions to ensure that such transactions will not drive up healthcare costs, reduce access to services, or diminish the quality of care. OSI invites all interested parties to take part and provide feedback.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is hosting virtual public comment sessions as they establish new Behavioral Health districts that will enhance access to behavioral health services.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) hosted a webinar to discuss the new Community and Partner Engagement Initiative with community members, partners, and leaders. NCDHHS launched the initiative earlier this year, guided by a directive from Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley, to address ongoing health disparities and needs within North Carolina communities.
The Department of Medical Assistance Services will host a virtual forum on language and disability access. The two-hour forum is open to the public and will focus on the theme “Translations, Language Taglines and Strategies for Identifying Frequently Used Languages.” A panel discussion will explore how state agencies and Medicaid stakeholders handle translations to enhance accessibility for individuals with limited English proficiency and people with disabilities.
Governor Katie Hobbs, in collaboration with Attorney General Kris Mayes, unveiled ReproductiveHealth.az.gov to educate Arizona women about their healthcare rights. The website includes information on where to find reproductive healthcare providers and resources.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule intended to strengthen access to state and local government websites and apps for people with disabilities. Within two years after the rule’s effective date, states will need to ensure that any website content or mobile app complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
The Healey-Driscoll administration has awarded $2.9 million to 20 organizations led by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to address substance-use in the communities they serve. The grants are awarded through the Redefining Community Wellness program, a new initiative intended to support BIPOC-led organizations committed to addressing substance-use disorder, including by focusing on underlying social, economic, and environmental conditions that can put people at greater risk for substance-misuse.
The Reproductive Health Program at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has launched a new website that makes it easier for people to seek abortion care information and services. The “Abortion Access in Oregon” website includes information about accessing abortion services, legal rights and privacy, a list of abortion providers in the state, options to help cover the cost of abortion services, and OHA’s Abortion Access Plan.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that it will hold a statewide Health Equity Summit that will bring together healthcare professionals, state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, faith-based organizations and more working toward the goal of eliminating health disparities in Pennsylvania by 2030. Panel discussions with subject experts will touch on such topics as maternal health, environmental justice and climate change, and health equity policy.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Office of Equity and Minority Health is announcing new dates for online community conversations originally scheduled for December to allow Michigan residents to provide feedback on proposed race and ethnicity data collection standards. To enhance inclusivity and community engagement, MDHHS is also making a public comment form available.
A guide detailing each culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) standard and strategies for implementation.
A health literacy resource including guidelines for writing, design, and translation.
This report provides recommended actions for specific communities that have been disenfranchised and face disproportionate barriers to community engagement. These actions are applicable to contexts beyond the pandemic.
This guide provides digital and nondigital strategies and methods for inclusive community engagement.
Across the U.S. healthcare system, groups of people representing varying perspectives are coming together to advance health equity by improving unjust health outcomes and addressing the structures that perpetuate them. This complex work requires collaboration in teams that include multiple types of stakeholders in public health, healthcare, social services, and community-based organizations. A report from Advancing Health Equity: Leading Care, Payment and Systems Transformation provides recommendations for multi-stakeholder teams to advance health equity. The authors, from the Center for Health Care Strategies and the University of Chicago, draw from the work of the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute on relationship building and creativity as modes of coming together to make change.
The Maryland Department of Health announced Caring Out Loud, a year-long partnership with the Trevor Project to bring trainings, resources and support to LGBTQ+ Marylanders. The Caring Out Loud campaign will include LGBTQ+ focused training for the department’s Behavioral Health Administration staff, members of the Governor’s Commission for Suicide Prevention, and healthcare professionals across the state.
This expert perspective offers insights on common barriers along the enrollment journey for non-citizen populations, and communications recommendations to effectively drive consumer behavior. The expert perspective shares insights from qualitative research SHVS conducted with Latino/a adults to understand the barriers to coverage, perceptions, and understanding of access to care.
Governor Josh Shapiro launched a new website for reproductive healthcare access resources to provide help for those seeking critical services no matter what part of the state they live in or whether they are traveling from a state that has restricted abortion access. On the new site, the public can find information about medication abortions as well as in-clinic procedure abortions. Users can also take advantage of an interactive map and the “Find A Provider” tool to locate a local provider, seek assistance on their journey with help from the “Make A Plan” section, and get connected with financial support under “How to Pay.”
Governor Phil Murphy and Chief Innovation Officer Beth Simone Noveck announced the launch of Transgender.NJ.gov—a new, one-stop hub designed to aid New Jersey’s transgender and non-binary community in finding information about essential programs and services. The website’s initial version contains information such as how to change a name, acquire legal assistance, obtain mental health and medical support, learn about rights and legal protections, and more. The website has launched as a beta version, allowing it to be continually updated and enhanced based on feedback from New Jerseyans and community stakeholders who use the site.
On Tuesday, February 28, State Health and Value Strategies is hosting a webinar that will explore how states can implement community engagement strategies that amplify community voices, engage program enrollees, and translate engagement into more effective and equitable health initiatives.
This issue brief provides an overview of the range of community engagement options and highlights how, by fostering trust and mutual respect and responding to the experiences of the people impacted by programs and policies, community engagement can promote equity. The issue brief also contains a list of strategies and tactics, which offers options for states to consider when working to advance towards transformational community engagement and achieve their community engagement goals.
This issue brief highlights community engagement work in Virginia and Colorado. Each state has invested in coordinated community engagement strategies that amplify the voices of those directly impacted by Medicaid and leverage their input to drive improvements. This pioneering work offers practical examples of how to structure community engagement to foster participation and improve program outcomes.
Superintendent of Financial Services Adrienne A. Harris issued a mandatory request for information (RFI) to health insurers to understand the scope and impact of their programs aimed at reducing health disparities. Pursuant to Section 308 of New York Insurance Law, DFS is requesting information and documentation on race/ethnicity and language data collection efforts, health equity programs, and related workforce initiatives.
The Society for Women’s Health Research designed this roadmap to guide community program planners as they engage women and their families in meaningful conversations and initiatives to improve individual and public health through vaccinations.
State Health and Value Strategies, in partnership with Health Equity Solutions, created the Health Equity Language Guide for State Officials which is comprised of three tools to help state officials with the language they use to discuss and write about race and health equity. The Guide includes definitions and explanations of words and phrases, how to think about their usage, and examples of how they might be applied.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionate effects on people of color and increased attention to racial justice have given rise to new or expanded efforts to address health inequities. In a new issue brief by the Urban Institute, the authors examined how governments and organizations adopt community engagement approaches to collaborate and share power with communities that experience health inequities. Drawing on interviews with representatives from national organizations and stakeholders in four states, the authors identified principles and strategies that help build trust with and engage community members, including ensuring sufficient and flexible funding and cross-sector support, dedicating time and patience and forging continuity, and fighting structural racism more broadly. The urgency of the pandemic is not only a challenge but an opportunity to elevate and operationalize community voices to better understand drivers of inequities and develop solutions with community buy-in, ultimately leading to inclusive and sustainable progress toward health equity.
Longstanding racial and ethnic injustices contribute to disparities in vaccination rates among historically marginalized populations. We are building equity into every aspect of vaccine distribution in order to close the vaccination gap between white populations and Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and American Indian populations in North Carolina.
The Office of Health Equity seeks to acknowledge systemic racism and the social determinants of health to eliminate disparities by addressing and promoting health equity among all people in every community in New Mexico. The Office of Health Equity strives to provide equitable health opportunities by building relationships with communities, establishing collaborations with care providers and forging partnerships with stakeholders to provide quality service in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. These measures focus on ensuring all New Mexicans, especially in rural and under-served areas and borderlands, have increased opportunities to be healthy and promote the public health mission of the New Mexico Department of Health.
With the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), more people than ever before are eligible for financial help to pay for a health insurance plan. Estimates are that on average, 4 out of 5 customers can now find a health plan for less than $10 a month—a remarkable step to provide more affordable coverage, for more Americans. To promote these significant savings, Marketplaces are launching integrated and innovative outreach campaigns—including tapping into existing public health and COVID-19 vaccination efforts—to reach residents with this important information and get them enrolled. As vaccine distribution is increasingly going local, state marketplaces are tapping into trusted partners like local community centers, faith groups, and small businesses as well as coordinating with state and federal agencies to combine education and outreach to drive enrollment. As Marketplaces look for ways to ensure equitable outreach and enrollment, especially as our nation recovers from COVID-19, this expert perspective highlights a range of communications and outreach strategies to align with vaccine education and distribution.
A new open enrollment landscape created by the continued health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a national movement calling for racial justice, and the concurrent timing of a presidential election year is raising new challenges for states as they plan outreach and enrollment campaigns. Marketplaces are reimagining their campaign strategies to meet this moment, with plans to operationalize virtual activities, communicate with new and existing audiences, and reflect changing consumer behaviors in their outreach tactics. This expert perspective highlights strategies from SHVS’ 2-part webinar series on preparing for OEP 2021 and features several strategies states can pursue to help ensure a successful open enrollment period this year.
In light of recent postal delays and housing displacements caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis, and a wave of natural disasters across the country, state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies face new challenges communicating with their enrollees about their health coverage. Acting now to mitigate these challenges is essential as states are preparing for the end of the public health emergency (PHE) and “catching up” on coverage renewals for a large portion of their enrollees. This expert perspective reviews strategies that state Medicaid and CHIP agencies may consider to help mitigate coverage losses.
On Wednesday, July 22, State Health and Value Strategies hosted part II of the Preparing for OEP 2021 webinar series that provided a deep dive into effective strategies to consider as states design their outreach and education campaigns for OEP 2021 in a shifting health care environment. Presenters from GMMB explored how the impacts of COVID-19 should inform the marketplace’s tactical campaign approaches for virtual outreach and partnership engagement, digital and social platform usage, and paid advertising and earned media. Participants also heard insights from several state officials from state-based marketplaces along the way. Topics for discussion included coordinating with state agencies, engaging micro-influencers, leveraging social media live streams, hosting virtual enrollment events, developing advertising buys, and considering new earned media hooks. This webinar included a question and answer session during which webinar participants can pose their questions to the experts on the line.
This expert perspective highlights examples employed by DC Health Link, the Oregon Health Authority, and beWellnm and the community-centered outreach they are using to actively enroll and connect consumers to care. The expert perspective also includes best practices surfaced for marketplaces and agencies to adapt their COVID-19 communications and outreach—and beyond—to ensure those with inequitable access to health coverage are prioritized and supported.
Considering both the public health crisis and future patient needs, Families USA has assembled state policy recommendations around three themes: 1) improving telehealth financing and implementation models to increase reach; 2) removing provider barriers to increase access to telehealth; and, 3) bridging the digital divide to improve patient access to telehealth services.
This analysis includes several key considerations intended to help state policymakers identify and overcome common barriers associated with integrating and operationalizing CHWs in Medicaid and other state health programs
The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges for Navigators. To learn more about their experience, and how they are helping consumers manage often unexpected transitions in coverage, this blog post highlights conversations with six navigators across five states using the FFM to hear how they were faring.