80 likes | 299 Views
The Disparities Action Network. Policy and Advocacy Efforts to Eliminate Disparities in Massachusetts January 2007. Health Care For All. Non-profit policy and advocacy organization Dedicated to achieving quality, equitable health care for all Massachusetts residents
E N D
TheDisparities Action Network Policy and Advocacy Efforts to Eliminate Disparities in Massachusetts January 2007
Health Care For All • Non-profit policy and advocacy organization • Dedicated to achieving quality, equitable health care for all Massachusetts residents • Bringing together diverse coalitions, to address key health care issues
Massachusetts Initiatives • Special Legislative Commission on Disparities • Chapter 58: Health Reform • Mayor of Boston’s Disparities Project • The Disparities Action Network
TheDisparities Action Network (DAN) • The DAN is a group of advocates, researchers, providers and many others, working to improve state policy on disparities • The DAN formed in June 2006 to develop an omnibus disparities reduction bill • Leadership, membership, structure, and timelines were established to guide the DAN through the bill filing • DAN members worked to a consensus for every provision in the bill • The bill was filed in the House of Representatives by Rep. Byron Rushing on January 9, 2007
The Legislation • Creation of a Health Equity Office to coordinate and lead state disparities elimination efforts • Support for: • medical interpreter services • community health workers • wellness education • Development of programs to address: • health literacy • workforce diversity • healthy communities
Building a Movement • The next phase of the coalition involves rallying grassroots support to advocate for the passing of the legislation. • Before the bill hearing the DAN will: • build a larger, broader state network of educated consumers • educate legislators about disparities and the bill • support other community based efforts
DAN Goals • Make health disparities a permanent priority in MA healthcare • Develop a broader understanding of health disparities among consumers and legislators • Create a statewide action plan for improving health disparities that is acted upon • Eliminate health disparities!
HCFA Resources • Web: www.hcfama.org • Email lists: www.hcfama.org/signup • Blog: blog.hcfama.org • Helpline: 1-800-272-4232