Health Equity
America’s Essential Hospitals was founded on a vision of equity in health and health care, and essential hospitals have long fought against pervasive systemic and structural racism in the United States. More than half of our member hospitals’ discharges are people of color. Injustices from structural racism create health inequities along racial and ethnic lines that disproportionately affect the marginalized communities served by members of the association.
America’s Essential Hospitals is tracking and analyzing state initiatives in the health equity space to inform our members’ efforts to advocate for and serve these communities.
Questions
Contact us at state@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0100.
Medicaid Trends in FY 2023 State Budgets
Nov. 1, 2022 ||A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey highlights common trends in health equity, telehealth access and quality, and coverage expansion initiatives.
view more »Oregon Builds Health Care Bridge Program, Prioritizes Equity
May 10, 2022 ||The bridge program task force will create a proposal for affordable, continuous health insurance coverage for individuals with frequent income fluctuations.
view more »LGBTQ Health Care Issues in State Legislatures
March 21, 2022 ||At least 20 states are pursuing legislation to limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, while some states have proposed legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
view more »New Priority Areas, Search Function for Association’s State Action Page
Jan. 24, 2022 ||The relaunched members-only state action page now includes a search-by-state tool and specific areas focused on state responses to COVID-19 and health equity.
view more »N.Y. Governor Highlights Health Care Workforce, Equity Initiatives
Jan. 10, 2022 ||New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) gave her first State of the State address, highlighting plans to retain and grow the state’s health care workforce and invest in initiatives to advance health equity.
view more »Presidential Health Equity Task Force Highlights State Innovation
Nov. 18, 2021 ||As part of its final report and implementation plan, the Presidential Health Equity Task Force highlighted several states and communities that are improving equitable health care, including California’s efforts to expand broadband services, the Cherokee Nation’s vaccination efforts, and more.
view more »Medicaid Directors Survey Examines COVID-19 Impact, Equity Efforts
Nov. 2, 2021 ||The Kaiser Family Foundation’s annual survey of Medicaid directors finds significant changes to Medicaid programs related to COVID-19, as well as increased state efforts to address social determinants of health and improve health equity. A companion survey examined Medicaid spending trends.
view more »Colo. Addresses Barriers to Care for LGBTQ Population
Oct. 14, 2021 ||Colorado expanded its essential health benefit benchmark plan to enhance coverage for those seeking gender-affirming care, effective January 2023. This expansion is the first of its kind to be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
view more »State Policy Snapshot: Addressing Maternal Health and Equity
Sept. 2, 2021 ||This State Policy Snapshot summarizes how states are working to improve maternal health and equity through Medicaid Section 1115 waivers, provider training, community-based services, and panels to investigate maternal deaths.
view more »State Policy Snapshot: States Address Structural Racism
May 19, 2021 ||This State Policy Snapshot examines the policies and initiatives states are pursuing to dismantle structural racism and achieve health equity.
view more »States Respond to COVID-19: Targeted Vaccine Campaigns
April 27, 2021 ||As COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, several states — including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Washington — have created targeted campaigns to reach marginalized populations disproportionately affected by the public health emergency.
view more »States Pursue Transgender Health Legislation
April 6, 2021 ||At least 29 bills in 17 states involve health services for patients who are transgender, and many of these efforts specifically focus on youth populations. Several states proposed restricting access to transgender health care, by prohibiting or criminalizing gender-affirming care.
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