Health Equity

About Health Equity

Disparate health outcomes are often the result of historic and systemic inequalities and unequal access to health care. This is untenable in a just society. That’s why California’s hospitals are committed to ensuring every Californian receives equitable, high-quality care. Hospitals alone cannot eliminate health disparities; it will take systemic reform and broad partnerships to improve the status quo.

American Hospital Association Launches DEI Benchmark Survey

What’s happening: The AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity is asking hospitals and health systems to participate in a biennial survey that provides a snapshot of successes and challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. 

What else to know: Hospitals should have received a link to the survey on Jan. 31 from this AHA email address: surveysupport@aha.org. The survey will be open until March 29. 

Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Launches Support Program

What’s happening: This month, the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) launched an educational webinar series. It’s a “catalytic program” for health care providers to best utilize benefits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  

What else to know: National education webinars for general IRA utilization will begin on Jan. 25. Registration for both the national sessions and breakout sessions (referenced below) is open on the program website.  

CMS Provides Health Equity Reports to Post-Acute Care Providers

What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing health equity confidential feedback reports to post-acute care providers including home health (HH), inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), long-term care hospital (LTCH), and skilled-nursing facility (SNF) settings. 

What else to know: The reports stratify outcomes for the Discharge to Community and Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary measures by dual-enrollment status and race/ethnicity. 

Major OHCA Developments to Track in 2024

What’s happening: OHCA ended 2023 with a proposed preliminary spending target of 3% annually for five years and it finalized cost and market impact review regulations.  

What else to know: OHCA’s policy development and implementation is expected to accelerate in 2024, specifically related to the adoption of an initial health care spending target. 

Summary: Proposed Policy Changes for Medicare Advantage Plans

What’s Happening: A members-only summary from Health Policy Alternatives, Inc. of the proposed policy changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is available.  

What Else to Know: The proposed policies affect MA (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare cost plans, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. 

New Requirements for Hospital Supplier Diversity Reporting Coming in 2025

What’s happening: Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) expands the Hospital Supplier Diversity program by requiring additional reporting information for hospitals, effective July 1, 2025.   

What else to know: A fact sheet from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) outlines the statutory changes and time frames for program implementation. 

Continued Engagement on Health Equity

In a state as diverse as California, keeping our eye on the ball of advancing health equity is critical work. Thanks for what you are doing within your own organizations to understand and address health inequities in care delivery and to be a partner in your community addressing social determinants of health.