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.
CMS Announces Voluntary State Total Cost of Care Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center announced a new voluntary, state total cost of care model: the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) model. CMS will select up to eight states to participate in the model, which is intended to curb health care cost growth, improve population health, and advance health equity, and is built on best practices from the Maryland Total Cost of Care model, the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, and the Vermont All-Payer ACO Model.
CMS Announces Changes to ACO REACH Model for Performance Year 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced changes to its accountable care organization (ACO) Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) Model starting in performance year 2024.
Advancing LGBTQ+ Health Equity with the Healthcare Equality Index
Join this webinar to learn more about the survey and how the information obtained can be used to advance efforts to provide equitable care to all your patients. You will also hear from two hospital members discussing their experiences with the survey and how they have implemented changes to better serve their LGBTQ+ community and employees.
Medical Student Inspires Others While Pursuing Her Dream
She once thought Black people couldn’t be doctors. Now Chelsea Nash is set on becoming one while helping people of color do the same.
Several Firsts for Ella Mae Ferneil
Ella Mae Ferneil’s background is filled with many “firsts” — first African American registered nurse, public health nurse, visiting nurse, and school nurse in the state of California. Children’s Hospital Oakland is proud to honor this remarkable and determined woman.
Vouchers 4 Veggies: Together, from Hunger to Health — Participant Information
One out of five low-income households report ZERO purchases of fruits and vegetables. Over 500 billion dollars are spent annually in the US for treating chronic diseases, most of which are preventable with diet and moderate exercise. Yet many families cannot afford the nutritious foods that are critical to health and well-being. Housed at the […]
Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Local: Connecting Patients to Critical Community Resources — Participant Information
When patients leave the hospital, there’s usually some healing ahead. More often than not, special services or assistance are needed to help recovery — crucial resources that may be lacking for vulnerable populations. Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Local was developed to address these needs. Thrive Local features a community referral network that integrates health systems, […]