Equity in Healthcare: 4 Key Takeaways From EmblemHealth’s Legislative and Policy Panel in New York
EmblemHealth recently hosted the “Equity in Healthcare: A Balancing Act” panel at the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators’ (NYSABPRL) 50th Annual Legislative Conference.
Karen Ignagni, EmblemHealth’s President and CEO, and a team of AdvantageCare Physicians and EmblemHealth lead doctors, Dr. Haitham Ahmed (ACPNY), and Dr. Diane Ashton (EmblemHealth), were joined by Dr. Michelle Morse, Chief Medical Officer of the New York City Department of Health and Deputy Commissioner for the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness; Wayne Ho, CEO and President of the Chinese American Planning Council; Ginger Walker of the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network; Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; New York State Assemblywoman Latrice Walker; and New York State Senator Brian Benjamin.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted low-income communities, particularly Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC), and various immigrant populations at a disproportionately high rate. These communities have experienced the highest rates of infection, death, income loss, and food insecurity throughout the pandemic. Communities of color have historically been underserved and under-resourced, but the pandemic exposed how much work needs to be done to address the root cause of health disparities. Below are four key takeaways from the event.
1. The Difference Between Equality and Equity Matters
COVID-19 has exposed and deepened health disparities throughout New York and the United States. At the root of this problem is the disconnect between equity and equality, Dr. Morse explained. In many cases, she said, COVID-19 testing and vaccination has followed an equality-based approach, focusing on the equal distribution of resources instead of targeting underserved populations. As a result, communities with the highest mortality and hospitalization rates were the last to receive adequate access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines. They were not prioritized by an equity-based distribution approach. An equitable response would have ensured that the distribution of resources was proportionate to a community’s needs, Dr. Morse said. This approach considers not only current need but also historical harm, exclusion, and marginalization. Equality focuses on giving each community an equal allocation of resources while overlooking these nuances. That is why an equitable approach is important, she concluded.
2. Data Overlooks Key Groups
Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council, highlighted how the Asian American community is often left out of data points that inform policymaking. According to Ho, the Asian community is the fastest growing racial group in the country by percentage, especially in New York State and New York City, which means they are the fastest growing group of voters, workers, constituents and tax payers. Asian Americans are also more likely to live in multigenerational housing, as well as homes where people have mixed immigration statuses, he explained. These important data points are often overlooked in state and national data, he argued. As a result, this complex and diverse group is not being considered as part of the dialogue around communities of color and racial inequities.
Ginger Walker, a rare disease advocate, added that data is lacking on people with conditions like sickle cell disease. People with rare diseases are often more vulnerable to viruses like COVID-19, and more information is needed in order to reach those individuals and track their outcomes.
3. Public-Private Partnerships are Key
Multiple entities must work together as a unit to provide equitable solutions. Throughout the pandemic, explained Ignagni, EmblemHealth has partnered with community-based organizations and local elected officials to distribute critical supplies and has partnered with New York City and the state to expand testing and vaccine access through its medical group practice, AdvantageCare Physicians. These partnerships have allowed the city and state to extend public health infrastructure during a critical time.
It’s also important to look at all aspects of well-being through the lens of the social determinants of health, which includes access to food, employment, transportation, healthcare, and even internet access, Ignagni added.
4. Keep Making Good Trouble
The theme of NYSABPRL’s 50th Annual Legislative Conference was “Making Good Trouble,” a tribute to the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis. Reflecting on Lewis’ legacy and the role of policymakers, advocates and health care organizations like those convened by the panel, EmblemHealth Medical Director Dr. Diane Ashton pointed to two principles. First, to make good trouble, one must be where the trouble is, which for EmblemHealth means active participation in the community, she said.
The second principle is inspired by a quote by another Black leader, politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author Stacey Abrams, which is our job as leaders is to be “truth-tellers.” Overall, people in the community, community leaders, advocates, healthcare professionals and policy-makers must come together to improve health outcomes throughout COVID and beyond. We look forward to continuing our partnership to better address the health care needs of our communities.
EmblemHealth is one of the nation’s largest not-for profit health insurers serving more than 3.3 million people in the New York tristate area via a family of companies, including AdvantageCare Physicians.
