PRIDE WHILE UNWINDING
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.
PRIDE WHILE UNWINDING
Dear HT4M Community,
As we hit the year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade and witness the unwinding of Medicaid, we cannot overlook the additional challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly regarding gender-affirming care. The unraveling of these vital protections and healthcare access has far-reaching consequences for marginalized individuals across the nation.
The decades of decisions following the Roe v Wade ruling have rested authority to regulate or prohibit abortions, affecting reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.?Simultaneously, the unwinding of Medicaid, through the redetermination process, has created barriers to healthcare for millions of vulnerable individuals.?These efforts have disproportionately impacted minority communities and exacerbated disparities in access to quality care.
Moreover, the LGBTQ+ community is no stranger to persecution, and the current political climate has made seeking a happy, healthy, and safe life an arduous pursuit. For trans and gender non-conforming individuals, the intended limits or all-out bans on gender-affirming care in many states compromise their safety, well-being, and social acceptance.
At HT4M, we stand united in our commitment to address?these unwinding injustices and to promote?health equity for all.?We believe in a future where human and reproductive rights are protected, Medicaid remains a lifeline for those in need and gender-affirming care is accessible without discrimination or barriers.
Through our work, we advocate for comprehensive healthcare policies that prioritize reproductive justice, support Medicaid expansion, and ensure equitable access to products, services, delivery systems and capital markets that need to be unlocked. We strive to create a society where everyone's healthcare needs are met with dignity, respect, and understanding.
Together, let us raise our voices, challenge unjust policies, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future. We are grateful for your unwavering support as we continue to have PRIDE in?our mission to improve the lives of those affected by these unwinding challenges.?Join us as a donor, a member or partner with us?in the fight!
In solidarity,
Adimika Arthur
SPECIAL THANKS?TO INDIVIDUAL DONORS SUPPORTING OUR WORK
HT4M's 2022 Annual Report
Upcoming Events
Join us this Friday:
Join us TODAY,?Friday, June 30th at 9am PST / 12pm EST, for our next?HT4M 101?session!
Are you interested in learning more about Health Tech for Medicaid and what it means to be a part of the HT4M community? Looking to get a deeper understanding about the work we do?
Amplify YOUR Impact!?By collaborating with HT4M, you become part of a movement that is transforming the healthcare system, one that is focused on improving the lives of Medicaid recipients. Together, we can bridge the gaps in access, promote health equity, and create a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem.
We invite you to explore our?website, engage with our community, and join us in reimagining Medicaid and shaping the future of healthcare. Together, let's harness the power of innovation, collaboration, and advocacy to create a healthcare system that truly leaves no one behind.
?Some themes from our last sessions:
Being a member of Health Tech for Medicaid means having access to a collaborative community of experts, stakeholders, and resources dedicated to improving Medicaid and enhancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations. HT4M members have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, collaborate on innovative projects, and collectively advocate for positive change in Medicaid policies and programs. Together, members work towards leveraging technology and innovation to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the Medicaid ecosystem.
Determined to Redetermine Education Series
As we are in the midst of the largest healthcare transition since the first open enrollment of the Affordable Care Act, Health Tech for Medicaid is dedicated to spotlighting and sharing essential information, insightful resources, and innovative solutions regarding Medicaid Redetermination.
Join our next installment of Determined to Redetermine?on Thursday, July 13th, at 9am PST / 12pm EST,?featuring Lisa B. Bari, CEO of?Civitas Networks for Health!
This webinar will feature the latest information on the Medicaid eligibility redetermination process, explore timelines and provider roles for Medicaid stakeholders, and explore the impact of interoperability on streamlining the eligibility redetermination process, ensuring accurate and efficient data exchange among Medicaid stakeholders.
Join us?on Monday, August 7, at 9am PST / 12pm EST?for "Determined to Redetermine: From the Frontlines,"?featuring NanaEfua Afoh-Manin MD, MPH, Co-Founder of?Shared Harvest.
HT4M @ HLTH 2023
Our programs are not just about knowledge-sharing; it's about sparking collaborations and forging connections. You'll have the chance to network with like-minded individuals who share your passion for enhancing Medicaid and making a positive impact on the lives of millions.
If you are interested in partnering with us at HLTH, please fill out the form below:
领英推荐
Recap: Determined to Redetermine with Kristal Vardaman & Lauren Block
On June 15, "Determined to Redetermine" brought together healthcare experts Kristal Vardaman, PhD, MSPH Vardaman, Senior Director of Medicaid Policy & Programs at?Aurrera Health Group, and Lauren Block , Vice President of Medicaid Policy & Programs at?Aurrera Health Group, to shed light on the evolving landscape of Medicaid redetermination. During this insightful event, attendees gained valuable insights into the changing policies, federal initiatives, beneficiary perspectives, and state experiences surrounding Medicaid redetermination. Let's recap the key takeaways from this engaging discussion:
1?. Medicaid Redetermination Policies:?We explored how policies on Medicaid redetermination have changed and the impact they have had. States have implemented varying approaches, such as population-based, time-based, hybrid, or using existing renewal schedules.
2?. Federal Guidance and Initiatives:?HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra urged governors to step up their efforts in Medicaid redetermination. New waiver authorities were provided to facilitate managing care plans, simplifying reinstatement of coverage, and offering presumptive eligibility.
3?. Beneficiary Perspective:?We discussed how beneficiaries prefer to receive communications from states, including multiple forms, apps, and phone calls. Timelines for response also varied, ranging from 10 days to 30 days.
4?. High-Risk Groups:?Individuals with long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs, limited English proficiency, limited health/digital literacy, chronic health conditions, and disabilities were identified as being at the greatest risk of coverage losses.
5?. State Experience and Challenges:?States face staffing challenges and expressed concerns and nervousness prior to implementing redetermination. Staff turnover and hiring contractors were common. COVID-19 impacted each state differently.
6?. Phasing Down of Enhanced FMAP:?The phase-down of enhanced FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) created a reduced budget to cover these populations, which posed challenges for states.
7?. Limitations and Innovations:?Some states had prohibitions or limitations on outreach and payment to community-based organizations (CBOs) and startups. Innovative approaches included texting, program flexibilities, user experience emphasis, data collection, and stakeholder engagement.
The discussions highlighted the importance of trust, trusted partnerships, and involving the voices of members. The actions taken by states today will have long-term impacts on Medicaid programs. Let's continue working together to ensure an effective and inclusive Medicaid redetermination process.
Thank you once again to Kristal Vardaman, Lauren Block, and all the attendees for their valuable contributions to the event. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on healthcare policy and initiatives.
HEALTH EQUITY HEROES
Our Health Equity Heroes are remarkable individuals who exemplify the mission of HT4M as we stand at the intersection of health equity and tech equity, advocating for the over 90 million Medicaid recipients across the nation. Read below for "calls to action to advance health equity" from two of our most recent heroes, Wm. Jahmal Miller, MHA, DHL and Mary Stutts, MHA :
Calls to Action from Mary Stutts:?
1.?Plan for the Workforce of the Future, Mindful of the Current Workforce Exodus:?People have a greater level of trust and confidence in people who look like them.??This is just human nature. To truly achieve equitable healthcare, we must focus on preparing a diverse future workforce of clinicians, providers, scientists, researchers, nurses, medical school faculty and health workers across the health ecosystem.
2.?Advance Health and Cultural Literacy:?Healthcare companies and providers tend to solely emphasize the need for patients to become more health literate in order to advance health equity.?It’s time to flip this paradigm and ensure that organizations, staff and systems become more culturally literate by practicing cultural humility.
3.?Demand Provider Accountability:?As the push continues to educate and create a pipeline of diverse physicians, it is important to hold existing providers accountable to provide equitable care including offering the option of clinical trials to all patients with the targeted disease and prescribing the newest, most innovative therapies to all patients with the targeted disease.???
4.?Foster Partnerships with Community Serving Organizations:?Health equity cannot be advanced in silos of individual companies or health systems.??It is imperative that the health ecosystem enlist the support of community serving organizations that are the trusted voices and support systems especially in underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. This includes building long-term relationships within communities and allocating some of the revenue generated from that support back to the community in a mutually beneficial partnership.
Calls to Action from Jahmal Miller:?
1.?Build Will to Achieve Health & Racial Equity:?Making health equity a strategic priority requires building will and increasing awareness about equity
2.?Embed Equity throughout the Organization:?Establish specific goals, priorities, resourcing, measurement, and accountability for achieving health equity
3. Go Upstream: Push upstream to address all determinants of health
4.?Build Power: Build alliances & share power with marginalized physicians, communities and other stakeholders?
Visit our?Twitter page?to discover more about each of these heroes, their inspiring work, and their calls to action in advancing health equity. We encourage you to nominate individuals who have dedicated their careers to creating real, lasting impacts in the lives of marginalized patient populations. Help us recognize and celebrate the unsung heroes who are driving change in our communities.
Nominate an HT4M Health Equity Hero using the link below. Together, let's congratulate these incredible leaders and continue championing health equity by?transforming lives.
LAUNCHING OUR MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN
We're Launching Our 2023?Member Campaign!?
By converging with?diverse experts and leaders,?HT4M paves the channel for change. HT4M?provides members with opportunities?to?gain a greater?understanding?of the Medicaid ecosystem,?influence?the future of Medicaid innovation, and collectively?inspire?with the community?to tackle some of the greatest problems in healthcare.??With our mission in mind, becoming an?HT4M member can be of benefit beyond your organization.
HT4M'S UNDERREPRESENTED FOUNDER DATABASE
Are you an underrepresented founder or?entrepreneur??
At HT4M, we are expanding our database to highlight and support underrepresented BBIPOC*, LGBTQIA+**, women and gender-diverse health tech founders and entrepreneurs.?Since last year, we have included nearly 500 founders in our database. Our platform gives visibility to leaders, as well as building?and cultivating relationships within the health tech industry for?those serving vulnerable populations. If you would like to increase your visibility as an underrepresented founder, please fill out the form below.