Catalyzing a Futuristic Shift
Health Tech 4 Medicaid
We're on a mission to radically change the pace of innovation in Medicaid, improving quality, equity and access to care.
This week's expedition at the "Future of Maternal Health" conference was a captivating odyssey, one that transported us through the multifaceted lens of mortality statistics, strategic collaborations, and a resolute focus on the populations that urgently require our attention. It was an honor to embrace various roles, from guiding a pitch competition and steering a venture panel, to engaging in dialogues with Medicaid innovators and participating in a heartfelt fireside chat with a fervent advocate for birth center justice. However, the most profound aspect of this journey lay in the stories we heard, the collaborations we championed, and the strides we took in an arena where data often paints a discouraging picture.
As we ushered in 2024, we introduced the term "Medicaid Futurists" during this year's JPM “Future of Medicaid Innovation” conference, symbolizing our unwavering commitment to education, ambitious dreams, and a deep-seated appreciation for the inspiring narratives that surround us. Our vision extends beyond merely imagining the future; it is about actively shaping it.
In our role as self-proclaimed Medicaid Futurists, we stand unwavering, even in the face of daunting maternal health statistics. We are determined to drive change, cultivate innovation, and forge a more equitable healthcare landscape. Our journey is steeped in the power of collective action, collaboration, and shared dreams, echoing the ancestral wisdom that guides us towards a brighter future in maternal health.
This odyssey has only just begun, and together, as Medicaid Futurists, we are poised to leave an enduring mark—one story, one collaboration, and one dream at a time. In the spirit of futurism, we envision a future where healthcare transcends being just a system; it becomes a vessel for empowerment, liberation, and equitable maternal, birthing, and adolescent health for all.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the OECD High-Level Policy Meeting, where global ministerial discussions spanned topics such as AI, sustainable and regenerative people-centered health innovation. These conversations reminded me of how far we have to go to meet our global metrics. With only six years left to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our progress in reducing maternal mortality (SDG 3.1) and child mortality (SDG 3.2) remains alarmingly off-course, particularly in the United States.
Both of these conferences, spanning from Paris to San Francisco, convened to confront the sobering reality depicted by these statistics. The consensus is unequivocal—multifaceted approaches and increased investments are the need of the hour. It was surprising to note during a Medicaid primer session that many attendees in the room were not adequately educated on the population they serve.
Throughout this narrative, a recurring theme emerges—an unwavering commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights as foundational pillars of maternal, newborn, birthing, and adolescent health. Comprehensive sexual education, access to reproductive health services, and family planning, especially for adolescents, are not mere talking points but essential imperatives. Addressing deeply ingrained gender inequalities is another vital facet, encompassing the provision of essential services for women and girls, support for women's education, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The essence of this journey is firmly rooted in the imperative to fortify healthcare systems. This involves enhancing access to medical equipment, elevating service quality, and empowering the healthcare workforce, particularly midwives, doulas, nurses, and community health workers. It calls for embracing a Primary Health Care approach infused with Behavioral Health principles. Furthermore, the clarion call to rectify inequities in accessing maternal, newborn, birthing, and child health services, especially in low- and middle-income communities, as well as within humanitarian and fragile settings, reverberates with an urgent sense of purpose.
In the unfolding narrative of sexual, reproductive, maternal, birthing, and child health, our journey assumes a heightened significance. This story continues to evolve, guiding us through landscapes marked by both challenge and resilience. It is a narrative that thrives on shared aspirations, collective action, and unwavering determination. As we navigate these uncharted territories, our commitment to reshaping the future of maternal, birthing, and child health intensifies. Each voice, each collaboration, and each endeavor propels us closer to a world where maternal and child mortality aren't just stark figures but stories of triumph over adversity.
With warmest regards,
Adimika Arthur
Insights from"The Future of Medicaid Innovation Forum"January?9, 2024
We are thrilled to share highlights from our?recent Future of Medicaid Innovation Forum Conference, held on January 9th, 2024, as it steered us into the realm of "Medicaid Futurism." This annual event is a cornerstone for health equity, serving as a platform for impactful discussions and initiatives aimed at reshaping the healthcare experience for Medicaid members nationwide. What sets this year apart is our dedicated focus on three dynamic panel discussions, bringing together experts and stakeholders from various fields. The panels delved deep into innovative pathways, exploring a future where healthcare transcends accessibility to embrace innovation, equity, and inclusivity. Each discussion offered unique perspectives and insights, shaping the discourse on the future trajectory of Medicaid.
Actionable Equity: Realizing Health Justice in a Post-Reckoning World
The conference's kickoff panel, "Actionable Equity: Realizing Health Justice in a Post-Reckoning World," was a powerhouse of inspiration! Guided by the dynamic moderation of Kulleni Gebreyes, MD, MBA, Chief Health Equity Officer at Deloitte Consulting, the discussion soared to new heights. Dr. Gebreyes declared with passion, "Health equity and access to health... is a moral imperative. It is the right thing to do."The stellar lineup included B. Pagels-Minor, Founder of DVRGNT Ventures & The Wealth Salons; Chenny Zhang, Principal of Investments at In-Q-Tel; and the remarkable Denise Bradley Tyson, Executive Chairperson of the American Heart Association Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund.?Chenny Zhang fueled the excitement, expressing the need to ask those pivotal questions,?"I often have to ask certain questions... and make sure that the founders we are working with and other investors we are working with are paying attention to the underrepresented voices in the room.”But it didn't stop there – the panel ignited a discussion on the fiery topic of social determinants of health! Together, they illuminated the critical intersection of health equity and access, turning the conference into a vibrant celebration of innovation and inclusivity.?
Innovating Access: Pharma's Role in Pioneering Equitable Healthcare Financing
Let's journey back to the second panel, "Innovating Access: Pharma's Role in Pioneering Equitable Healthcare Financing." Adimika Arthur, CEO & Executive Director of HealthTech 4 Medicaid (HT4M), skillfully moderated, leading us through a realm of groundbreaking discussions.Among the luminaries was the inspiring Charlotte Jones-Burton, MD, MS, Founder & President of Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP). Her impactful words echoed: "The next life that you save, just might be your own." The panel marked a turning point in how we approached healthcare financing.Darshak Sanghavi, the visionary Program Manager at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), provided insights that redefined the future of healthcare, placing innovation at the forefront. "When we can actually put aside the preconceived notions people show up....and that sort of creates a common language where it might bridge some divide.”Trailblazer Quita Highsmith, Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Genentech, reshaped the narrative of diversity and inclusion in healthcare. "We have to stop tiptoeing around race and health inequity, and just address it.?It’s not about doing things differently, it’s about doing different things.”
Futuristic Governance: Navigating AI, Data, and Equity in Medicaid's Transformation
领英推荐
Embarking on a futuristic journey in the panel titled "Futuristic Governance: Navigating AI, Data, and Equity in Medicaid's Transformation," the discourse was enriched with profound insights.Robin Washington, a distinguished Board Member of Alphabet, Honeywell International, and Salesforce, delved into the complexities of health data, emphasizing the need for enhanced protection against biases and acknowledging the multifaceted aspects of accessing it. "Health data...there can be bias, accessing it, there a lot of things that protects us,?but its something that everyone's protected even more..."Chris Yeh, the forward-thinking General Partner at Blitzscaling Ventures, advocated for collaborative efforts, urging, "Let's figure out ways where we can actually accelerate things where the risks are relatively low." His call resonates with the collective desire for advancing healthcare with calculated risks."Micky Tripathi, Ph.D., M.P.P., the National Coordinator for Health Information at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, championed transparency. He mentions "Lets elevate the transparency, and allow clinicians to do what they do every single day, which is use the best information, to use the best technologies, to make the best decisions for and with their patients."?Contemplating the future of Medicaid, these perspectives shed light on the transformative potential of AI, data, and equity in reshaping healthcare. The panelists' viewpoints align with forward-looking investment strategies, envisioning a Medicaid that embraces innovation, transparency, and collaborative advancement.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to our speakers, attendees, and sponsors for contributing to the resounding success of the Future of Medicaid Innovation Forum.As we reflect on the insightful panels, powerful keynotes, and the vibrant community that came together, we invite you to be an integral part of this transformative journey. Medicaid Futurism is not a distant concept — it's a reality we are actively shaping.Join us in making a difference, today and in the future. Share with us your vision for the future of Medicaid here.
Upcoming Events
HT4M at ViVE 2024
We're thrilled to announce our continued partnership at ViVE 2024 in Los Angeles this February!?Register here to attend ViVE and use 24ViVE_ht4m250 for $250 off, and read below for details on our programs
Sunday, February 25th
Monday, February 26th
Tuesday, February 27th
New Member Welcome!
We are thrilled to welcome Arise Health to our growing community of Health Tech for Medicaid members! Arise is a fully virtual eating disorder program started by and for people who have lived with eating disorders. Learn more here.
Gratitude Corner
We express our heartfelt gratitude to HLTH Foundation for their generous contribution to Health Tech for Medicaid (HT4M). Their support is a beacon, illuminating our path toward advancing healthcare equity and innovation in the Medicaid landscape. It's through partnerships like these that we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those who depend on Medicaid for essential healthcare services. Thank you, HLTH USA Foundation, for being a vital part of our mission and vision.
?? Exciting updates in your latest newsletter! As Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." ?? Keep leading the way in Medicaid Innovation and ViVE 2024 events. Your work is shaping the future. Keep it up! ?? #InnovationLeaders #FutureIsBright