HELEN News

The National Minority Quality Forum is pleased to announce the establishment of The 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health Awards, honoring influential young African American leaders making a difference in healthcare. We encourage a wide range of health professionals to apply: physicians, pharmacists, dentists, anesthesiologists, nurses, policy experts, researchers, and others.   All nominations are to be submitted online here. Nominations will be accepted until February 1, 2016.   Honorees will be awarded at the Congressional Black Caucus Spring Health Braintrust Gala in Washington, DC with special guest CBC Health Braintrust Chair Congresswoman Robin Kelly.   Please direct…

CMS officials have publicly indicated that they intend to adjust the Medicare Advantage star rating system to account for the socioeconomic status (SES) of a plan’s beneficiaries.  Under the current ratings system, health plans serving largely low-income individuals have expressed concerns that they are unfairly penalized for the differential effort required to serve high proportions of low SES beneficiaries.   According to a report by Modern Healthcare, acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt stated that CMS research “shows that there are statistically significant results for low-income and disabled beneficiaries in certain measures. We are now considering what the…

Over the next few months, HELEN will host discussions featuring leaders from each TriCaucus member who will share their congressional perspective on advancing health equity in the current Congress. HELEN is excited to feature Congresswoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Congresswoman Chu will share: the history and provide an overview of the Congressional  Asian Pacific American Caucus,  its key policy priorities, including those related to the advancement of health equity,  her perspective on what can be achieved in the 114th Congress and;  opportunities for health equity…

The webinar provides HELEN members from around the country a unique opportunity to come together and learn, discuss and ask questions about how to raise awareness about fair housing and housing mobility as equity issues. The virtual platform will include direct knowledge and insight on fair housing as a health equity issue and the U.S. Supreme Court case, Texas Department of Housing v. the Inclusive Communities Project - the plaintiffs' suit, the challenge to disparate impact, and its implications for desegregation efforts. Speakers for this event include Philip Tegeler, Executive Director of Poverty & Race Research Action Council and Demetria McCain,  Vice…

The webinar provides a discussion about the the recent 2014 Mid-Term Elections and its impact on Health Equity. This virtual platform includes analysis of the recent mid-term elections and a comprehensive overview of the Mid-Term Election, including implications for ACA and other health related laws, policies and programs. Guest speakers shared their perspective from the national and state level and responded to questions from the audience and also shared their views on key opportunities to advance health equity legislation at the state level. Speakers included Dr. David Bositis, Political Consultant, David Harrington, former Maryland State Senator and President and CEO of the…