Advancing Equity in Health Care

Lauren Tobias authored an opinion piece published by Empire Report highlighting the state's focus on health equity. In a concept paper recently submitted to the federal government to set the stage for a Medicaid waiver request, NYS health officials outlined an agenda to reduce racial, disability and socioeconomic health disparities, improve health equity, and keep Medicaid expenditures cost neutral. Lauren used this, and the selection by Governor Hochul of Dr. Mary Bassett to serve as DOH commissioner, to encourage all health systems and providers to prepare for partnership with the state. Specifically, Lauren's piece recommended: building community trust, using robust data sets that include demographics, and investing in cultural competence and implicit bias training.