Inertia to change is real in the U.S. health system, but are we seeing signs of change? Organizations with the power of purse and decision authority are emphasizing that equity in health outcomes is a non-negotiable goal, and it’s driving change in everything from data collection to benefit design - even more sensible policy about Medicaid expansion! It is vital that leaders at large employers, health systems and federal agencies set the bar for all actors to do the same if we hope to aggressively accelerate implementation of evidence and change people’s lives. As I’m still learning, leading with equity clarifies what is most important (the patient and family experience and impact) and strips away the excuses of complexity, resources, feasibility, etc. Equal opportunity for health and meaningful life is our goal. We all are obligated to make it happen.



P.S. I included the election worker article because it’s both heartening to see support for beleaguered election officials and of ongoing concern that we have to legislate civil discourse and human civility. Our democracy depends on these underpaid/volunteer citizens. If you’re not one of them, it’s time to step up locally. 2024 is right around the corner!

Throughout the day, panelists at the Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID) Summit raised the issue of value and how it squares with equity. In the final panel of the day, speakers specifically discussed how to incorporate equity into value assessments. The summit was hosted by the University of Michigan’s V-BID Center.

For more than two decades, Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress and across administrations have accelerated the adoption of value-based reforms in Medicare and Medicaid.

Current rates of suffering, abuse, neglect, and incarceration of those experiencing homelessness and mental illness represent an unacceptable humanitarian crisis.

Colorectal cancer screening with an at-home stool test is more convenient than with a colonoscopy, but an abnormal result on the former still requires a follow-up with the latter.

People who watch politics in North Carolina say that Phil Berger, a Republican who calls himself a fiscal conservative and a "social traditionalist," is the most powerful man in the state. For years, as the top Republican in the State Senate, he blocked North Carolina from expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

But in a sunny outdoor ceremony at the governor’s mansion late last month, with the dogwoods blooming in a sign of spring, Mr. Berger looked on with pride as Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, signed Medicaid expansion into law. State officials estimate that the expansion will cover more than 600,000 North Carolinians.

Nearly a dozen states are considering new ways to ensure that those who plan and run elections are safe from threats or harassment as the number of incidents in which poll workers and election administrators are targeted continues to rise.

Momentum Health Strategies

Jennifer L Bright, MPA

(703) 628 - 0534

jennifer@momentumhealthstrategies.com

www.momentumhealthstrategies.com

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