A new DHS report 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.
The report, “Building Racial Equity into the Walls of Minnesota Medicaid: A Focus on U.S.-born Black Minnesotans (PDF),” recommends three areas for action: Making it easier to enroll and renew coverage, expanding access to culturally relevant care, and engaging the community in the process of creating policy for Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance in Minnesota.
“It is an indisputable fact that Minnesota has a staggering racial health equity problem, and ignoring the stain of institutional racism has not made it go away,” said Dr. Nathan Chomilo, Medicaid medical director and the report’s lead author. “This report aims to continue the evolution of how policy within DHS is designed, proposed and considered with communities at the center as well as model what accountability can look like as we aim to rebuild trust and ensure that Minnesota lives up to its commitment to equity.”
More information on the report and Governor Tim Walz’s budget proposals that align with its recommendations is in a department news release.
Community Conversation May 9
U.S.-born Black Minnesotans who are enrolled in Medicaid and those working to advance racial equity in health care are invited attend an online community conversation to learn more about the report’s findings, its calls to action and next steps.
It will be held Monday, May 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register by visiting mn.gov/dhs/public-participation. A similar session was held April 19.
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Join DHS and the Minnesota Board on Aging for the second webinar in the 2022 Minnesota Age & Disabilities Odyssey series. Learn why acknowledging the complex and multifaceted nature of human identity is critical to any kind of social justice work at the “Importance of Intersectional Accessibility” webinar from 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2.
Guest presenter Hayden Kristal is a Colorado-based Deaf queer activist and stand-up comedian. Life at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities has led Hayden to a career as a professional speaker, exploring the intersections of ability, gender, sexuality and access, particularly within the spheres of activism and social justice. They have brought their funny, engaging and interactive workshops and speeches to dozens of conferences, businesses and schools across North America, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia and TEDx.
Register by 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, through the Odyssey conference website.
Odyssey events are designed for those interested in long-term services and supports, including advocates, consumers, policymakers, and providers from counties, tribes, managed care organizations and state government.
Minnesotans are needed to help shape child welfare policy, practice and training recommendations by serving on Citizen Review Panels for the state’s child protection system.
DHS is currently seeking more than 80 volunteers for citizen panels in Chisago, Hennepin, Ramsey and Winona counties. By bringing a crucial community voice to county and statewide child welfare policies and procedures, panel members play an integral role in ensuring that the child protection system protects children from abuse and neglect. They also help identify and eliminate racial disparities in the system.
More information is in a department news release.
 Posted April 27 on the DHS Facebook page:
📣 Listen up! We just launched a podcast called the LoopBack. We're so excited about this new way to connect with Minnesotans. Catch the welcome episode and follow the LoopBack on Spotify, Stitcher, Anchor and Google Podcasts.
We'll be covering topics of community interest, uplifting community voices and exploring how we can better serve Minnesotans.
Check out the 10-minute welcome episode to discover what you can look forward to in the series. Assistant Commissioner De Anna Conover also shares the purpose of our new community engagement effort called Community Empowerment Sessions.
You can always find information about the LoopBack on our website at mn.gov/dhs/loopback. Episode transcripts are also available on the website.
#DHSLoopBack #DHSCommunityEmpowerment
For timely updates on DHS news and events, follow DHS on Twitter and Facebook.
Follow our DHS Careers Facebook page for announcements of hiring events, new job postings, internships and more.
For accessible formats of this publication, write to dhs.communications@state.mn.us, or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.
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