CSuD2 - Pioneering Health Equity: Lessons from Massachusetts' Health Equity Compact

Community health centers, primary care associations (PCAs), and health center-controlled networks (HCCNs) have a track record of advancing health equity in their service area, and the Health Equity Compact in Massachusetts is a prime example. The Health Equity Compact unites over 80 leaders of color from various organizations and entities in Massachusetts—including hospitals, health centers, payers, academic institutions, and public health entities—to advance health equity in the state. These high-level executives and experts bring their lived experiences, expertise, and commitment to eliminating systemic barriers and creating new structures and processes for equitable healthcare and health outcomes for all in Massachusetts. This is one of the first times in our nation that leaders of color have united in this way.

Sponsored by the NACHC Board Task Force on Undoing Racism, this session will feature leaders from The Health Equity Compact. They will provide tangible examples of how CHCs, PCAs, HCCNs and the CHC Movement can reconceive and reorganize systems and practices to eradicate health disparities and achieve health equity. Understanding that the political landscape varies across states and regions, panelists will share what challenges they encountered, along with strategies and resources they used to navigate these challenges. This session aims to position health centers, PCAs, and HCCNs as the partner, employer, and provider of choice for primary care and advancing health equity.