Priority Areas

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We advocate for state policy change in six priority areas:

1

Governance

We want our state government to have the necessary positions, staffing and authority to ensure that health equity is a key function.

2

Measurement and Accountability

We support standardized measurement of health equity across healthcare organizations so we can track and make progress.

3

Workforce

We promote workforce programs that focus on recruiting, training, and supporting talent, particularly in communities of color.

4

Healthcare Delivery and Payment Reform

We advance policies that pay for reductions in health disparities, and support culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

5

Coverage and Access

We believe in reducing gaps in coverage and minimizing rising healthcare costs so that everyone can have affordable, quality healthcare.

6

Social Determinants of Health

We seek the best health for all Massachusetts residents, through policy changes and investments in public health and communities.

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Governance

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:

Establish a “whole of government” structure to advance health equity, led by a new Executive Office of Equity
Prioritize health equity as a key function of state agencies responsible for monitoring health care
Increase representation of women and people of color in the leadership of key state agencies responsible for monitoring health care in Massachusetts

Measurement and Accountability

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:

Require using standardized health equity data metrics across provider and payer organizations across the state
Create a public dashboard and annual report on health equity data
Require testimony from providers and payers at the Health Policy Commission’s Annual Public Meeting on their efforts to reduce health disparities for priority populations

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Workforce

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:

Increase wages and incentives to address the shortage of healthcare professionals
Improve access to mental health and wellness benefits for healthcare workers
Support healthcare education and training for students from underrepresented backgrounds

Payment and Delivery Reform

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:

Increase funding for and incentivize efforts to improve health equity
Improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services
Incentivize integrating behavioral health, oral health, and pharmacy services in primary care settings

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Coverage and Access

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:

Provide MassHealth coverage for all undocumented immigrants
Eliminate co-pays for specific treatments for chronic conditions that disproportionately affect communities of color
Ensure that telehealth services for primary care and chronic disease management are paid for at the same rate as in-person services

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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.