Driving health equity: How Medicaid can lead the way 

Medicaid managed care organizations face increasing challenges in addressing health disparities as cultural and political shifts shape the national conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion.In a recent panel, leaders from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Health Plan discussed how to move health equity from a set of initiatives to an organizational identity, sharing insights from programs that have improved outcomes in areas like workforce development and maternal health care. The presentation was led by Crystal Clark, chief medical officer for Community HealthChoices at UPMC Health Plan, and Janine Jelks-Seale, director of health equity for UPMC Health Plan. “We spend a lot of time trying to focus on patient member experience and diversity, excellence and the development of leaders in our company,” Jelks-Seale said. “We have been trying to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion agenda for quite some time.” The presentation highlighted the disparities that people of color and underserved populations face in the health care system. Clark highlighted one specific example: two young men, same age, same kidney impairment.The only difference? One is Black, and one is white.Doctors performed a test to determine kidney function to see if they were eligible to be placed on the transplant list....