1
We want our state government to have the necessary positions, staffing and authority to ensure that health equity is a key function.
2
We support standardized measurement of health equity across healthcare organizations so we can track and make progress.
3
We promote workforce programs that focus on recruiting, training, and supporting talent, particularly in communities of color.
4
We advance policies that pay for reductions in health disparities, and support culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
5
We believe in reducing gaps in coverage and minimizing rising healthcare costs so that everyone can have affordable, quality healthcare.
6
We seek the best health for all Massachusetts residents, through policy changes and investments in public health and communities.
Health equity must be a key function of our state government. Our state government should have the necessary structure, positions, responsibilities, and funding to advance health equity in a meaningful and timely way. It is critical to have people of color in state agency leadership positions and for communities to have a voice within its state government in this work.
We are advancing policies that will:
We cannot monitor what we do not measure. Measurement is foundational to advancing health equity because it allows us to identify disparities, track progress, and share information with the public. This information can also inform payment models that encourage health equity efforts. A statewide approach to collecting, analyzing, and reporting data will allow for greater understanding and accountability.
We are advancing policies that will:
There is currently a major healthcare worker shortage, which makes it harder for everyone to access healthcare. We need a comprehensive state approach to building a strong and diverse healthcare and public health workforce. We must invest in workforce programs that develop, retain, and promote talent, particularly in communities of color. Workforce programs should have a strong focus on addressing capacity and diversity to support eliminating healthcare disparities.
We are advancing policies that will:
We should ensure that healthcare organizations deliver quality care that meets the needs of diverse populations. We should also incentivize healthcare organizations to reduce health disparities by paying for them to do so.
We are advancing policies that will:
Even though most people in Massachusetts have health insurance, health insurance remains a challenge for many people. Many people struggle with the high cost of health insurance including deductibles and co-payments, and cannot afford to use the coverage they have. Some groups, such as undocumented immigrants, lack quality health coverage. We believe in reducing gaps in coverage and controlling healthcare costs so that everyone can have affordable, quality healthcare.
We are advancing policies that will:
The Health Equity Compact wishes to recognize founding supporters JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., and Foley Hoag LLP for their invaluable work: JSI for technical assistance and research from the very beginning of the Compact; and Foley Hoag for pro bono legal skill and expertise in developing and writing An Act to Advance Health Equity.
Social Determinants of Health
Where we are born, where we live, learn, work, play, worship, and age all affect our health. These factors, known as social drivers or social determinants of health, account for the majority of our health status. We need to think about how we can invest in the overall health, and not just healthcare, of low-income populations and communities of color.
We are advancing policies that will: