Honoring Juneteenth: Some Reflections from the Health Equity Trends Summit
In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, I sent a message that Black Lives Matter and made commitments as a CEO, one of which included honoring Juneteenth as a holiday and a time of reflection. Since then, our firm has committed to being antiracist, and we’re making progress.
Many have wondered whether the commitments that I and other leaders have made would stick. Could we make this a movement, and not just a moment? After attending the first-ever statewide Health Equity Trends Summit in Boston last week, sponsored by the Health Equity Compact, an organization of healthcare leaders of color, I believe the answer is YES. Over 700 people attended this summit, including leaders from business and government. The energy in the room was palpable. Modeled on the successful statewide Cost Trends Hearings that are held annually in Massachusetts, this was a first for the nation.
The event highlighted a few levers that will help us continue to build on the momentum of the summit.
Leadership & Accountability: CEOs of major healthcare systems in the state were asked to make measurable commitments to health equity, knowing that they will be held accountable publicly. They shared the ways in which they are already doing this, with their Boards and leadership teams. The state can take this to the next level, by making these commitments public.
Economic Imperative: Beyond the moral imperative, the economic case for health equity was revealed through the release of this report from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, "The Time is Now: The $5.9 Billion Case for Massachusetts Health Equity Reform." This report shows that the cost of health inequities experienced by Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian populations in Massachusetts totals $5.9 billion each year, due to avoidable health care spending, lost labor productivity, and the cost of premature death.
Legislation: Sponsors made a compelling case and attendees were asked to support the recently filed health equity legislation. This legislation will prioritize health equity in state government and ensure consistent statewide data collection, among many other measures.
Amplification: All who attended the summit were asked to amplify its messages and make a sustained commitment to the work. The Day Health team will continue doing this and we invite you to join us!
The work we do as individuals and businesses to address systemic racism is vital. It needs to be taken to the next level, through the work we do in our healthcare system and through government. Last week’s summit was an important step.
In solidarity,
Rosemarie