Washington to join national effort to improve health equity in Medicaid

Learning series will help states work on health-related social needs initiatives.

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) recently announced our state was selected to participate in the Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Implementation Learning Series. This opportunity is made possible through Kaiser Permanente’s National Community Benefit Fund at The East Bay Community Foundation.

Health-related social needs (HRSN) are a person’s unmet social needs that can lead to or cause poor health outcomes. Some outcomes include unstable housing, homelessness, and nutrition insecurity—all of which are more common in Medicaid communities—specifically communities of color and disenfranchised and under resourced communities.

What happens in this learning series?

Nine participating states—including Washington—will work with CHCS in developing, implementing, or refining health-related social needs (HRSN) initiatives for Medicaid populations. Our state will work with and learn from other participating state Medicaid agencies, and share best practices on:

  • Practical, on-the-ground implementation efforts
  • Promoting health equity
  • Centering community voice

Through this national learning series, our goal is to strengthen Washington’s HRSN strategies and programs. This work is in partnership with Medicaid managed care organizations, health care systems, community-based organizations, and others.

We recognize the importance of providing support for and addressing HRSN. In doing so, our state can improve health equity within the services and supports available to Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollees. Most importantly, it can help people become their healthiest selves.

About CHCS

The Center for Health Care Strategies is a policy design and implementation partner devoted to improving outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid. CHCS supports organizations across the nation to make care more effective, efficient, and equitable. For more information, visit www.chcs.org.

Learn more about the Medicaid HRSN Implementation Learning Series.