The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) May 5 published a request for information (RFI) on methods and leading practices for advancing equity and support for underserved communities through government.
Several executive orders released January 2021 charged the federal government with identifying effective methods for assessing whether agency policies and actions equitably serve all eligible individuals and communities, particularly those currently and historically underserved.
OMB seeks input, information, and recommendations from stakeholders spanning public, private, advocacy, and nonprofit organizations in these areas:
- equity assessments and strategies for identifying systemic inequities and how agencies might collect data to support greater attention to equity in future policymaking;
- barrier and burden reduction, including methods to assess and remedy these roadblocks faced by marginalized communities;
- procurement and contracting processes that promote equity, specifically in underserved communities;
- financial assistance that channels grants and other funds to communities most in need; and
- stakeholder and community engagement, including how to promote meaningful engagement with underserved communities.
For each of these topics, OMB seeks specific information on approaches, methods, tools, and data that might be needed to further advance the administration’s mission to achieve equity. Responses are due July 6 to OMB.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.