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Health Equity & Inclusion

Meeting the Needs of California’s Diverse Communities

Reducing Health Disparities for a Higher Quality Health System

Health Access supports a multi-pronged effort to reduce health disparities, including improved access to linguistically and culturally competent care, an interdisciplinary approach to the social determinants of health, and a stronger, more inclusive social contract.

While Health Access works for coverage for all, we recognize that California’s diverse communities have distinct needs and issues. For example, Black and brown communities, low-income families, and LGBTQ Californians have worse outcomes and life expectancy than the rest of the population. These disparities have only grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring all Californians have equal access to quality care is a key goal of health system transformation.

With our coalition partners, Heatlh Access works to address the needs of all Californians through language access, health equity reforms, immigrant rights efforts, LGBTQ inclusion, protections for seniors and people with disabilities, women’s health, rural access, care for the undocumented, and addressing the social determinants of health. The ACA’s coverage and affordability measures and Medi-Cal reforms are also valuable tools for health equity.

We support movements such as Black Lives Matter and Stop AAPI Hate to root out the injustice and systematic inequities that permeate the health care system and lead to these inequities. Your environment and skin color shouldn’t dictate your health outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved the interconnectedness of our health, and the need to combat all inequities in our system that lead to greater harm for our marginalized communities.

Language Access & Cultural Competency

Over 40% of California residents speak a language other than English. Patients who are not English-proficient may not be able to clearly describe their symptoms to a provider or understand, much less follow doctor’s orders. Effective treatment depends on good communication between doctor and patient.

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Black Lives Matter

Health Access California shares the grief and outrage of the murder of George Floyd. As we continue to mourn not just Mr. Floyd, but also the many unwarranted deaths of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement, we must advocate for a society that fully respects the humanity of Black people.

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LGBTQ HHS Network

Through monthly conference calls and regular email updates, the LGBTQ HHS Network keeps organizations updated about state-level policies and initiatives. Consistent outreach and communication ensures that the LGBTQ HHS Network hears the collective needs of LGBTQ communities and can represent those needs to legislators and other policymakers.

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