A new report from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) calls for specific changes in Minnesota’s Medicaid program to improve racial equity and health outcomes in the state, particularly for Black Minnesotans born in this country. Nathan Chomilo, MD, FAAP, who sits on the MNAAP Board of Directors, is the report’s lead author.
“Building Racial Equity into the Walls of Minnesota Medicaid: A Focus on U.S.-born Black Minnesotans,” recommends three areas for action:
- making it easier to enroll and renew coverage
- expanding access to culturally relevant care
- engaging the community in the process of creating policy for Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Minnesota.
In a Star Tribune opinion exchange article discussing the report, Dr. Chomilo writes, “The path toward racial equity requires intentional community involvement in policy design within DHS. The report incorporates recommendations from conversations with members of the Black community born in this country, leaders of community organizations and those working to advance racial equity in health care for Black Minnesotans.”
U.S.-born Black Minnesotans who are enrolled in Medicaid and those working to advance racial equity in health care are invited to two upcoming online community conversations to learn more about the report’s findings, its calls to action and next steps.
Register by visiting mn.gov/dhs/public-
- Tuesday, April 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 9, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
