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Note: This is a revised version of the Equity Edition newsletter from the one sent yesterday, November 13.
The Equity Edition is the Health Care Authority's (HCA's) newsletter that provides information on our health equity and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts. Equity Edition also shares what's happening in the Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) sphere.
But before we dive into our updates, let's talk about managing change.
 Autumn on a pathway in the woods.
Change conjures many emotions for people, from anxiety and stress to excitement and motivation. Most of us experience a little of both. Transition gives us opportunity: We reflect on the past, celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and regroup to embark on new journeys. Our equity work is a great example of this. We're making progress and built a foundation on a framework that is strong and stable.
We are entering a season of change for the equity team, our agency, and state leadership. Change can be positive. Change creates space for discovery and growth. As we embark on this transition, remember to consider the positives, take care of yourself, and be gentle with those around you as we move through this journey together.
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PEAR is an Executive Order from Governor Inslee and overseen and supported by the Washington State Office of Equity. The purpose of PEAR at HCA is to foster an environment that creates belonging and establishes a pro-equity and anti-racist culture for HCA employees and the people we work with and serve.
On way we work to foster such an environment is through the below PEAR workstreams. Read some of their efforts.
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Leadership Operations & Services: Reviewing Employer of Choice survey results. Each year, HCA employees have the opportunity to complete this survey, which is anonymous and encourages candid responses. Employees share their thoughts in a variety of areas, including team culture, if they feel supported, how the agency is advancing health equity, and more.
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Data Strategy & Reporting: Two teams are collaborating to include a health equity lens in HCA's data governance.
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Engagement & Community Partnership: Developed framework for the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) workgroups, which will replace the Title XIX (19) workgroup, a decision made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Workforce Equity: Working on recruitment resources and process improvements for HCA's recruiting team and hiring managers. One such resource is the implicit bias training, which helps leaders identify their own biases before conducting job interviews. This training helps our agency hire the best people for the job.
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New equity contract requirements now live
In the last newsletter, we shared some exciting news about HCA embedding equity into our Apple Health (Medicaid) managed care organization (MCO) contracts. As of July 1, 2024, these health plans must:
- Hire a health equity director who serves on the executive team.
- Make trauma-informed care training available—free of charge—to client-facing staff, sub-contractors, and providers.
- Achieve National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) health equity accreditation.
- Form a Community Advisory Council.
Some health plans have already started up their Community Advisory Council and invited HCA to participate. Public and School Employees Benefits Board (PEBB and SEBB) contracts will also include these equity requirements. Implementation is now slated for January 2026.
Although changing contract language may seem trivial, this work is crucial in advancing equity in our health care delivery systems and holding health plans accountable for equitable outcomes.
Competency-based hiring pilot
HCA's Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) Division recently piloted a change to the way that candidates are screened during the recruitment process for one of their recruitments. In this pilot, candidates were screened with a specific focus on job-related skills and competencies, instead of years of required professional experience.
This pilot was part of a larger effort that Human Resources has undertaken to prepare HCA to comply with an anticipated executive order related to state employment. This executive order is expected to direct cabinet agencies to remove specific years of required experience and other biased qualifications (e.g. required English proficiency, lifting 50 lbs., etc.) unless there is an established standard.
This change will remove significant barriers in the recruitment process. The goal of this executive order is to give capable and talented candidates an equitable opportunity for state employment, regardless of their background, if they can show they can do the work.
Equity procurement
HCA's Division of Legal Services (DLS) will continue work with the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises to improve procurement practices for seeking diverse vendors. Last year, DLS reported a more than 400% increase in successful diverse procurements.
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HCA nominated for the PEAR STAR award
The Washington State Office of Equity nominated HCA for the PEAR STAR award. These awards are given to community organizations and state agencies that exemplify PEAR qualities. STAR stands for Show, Transform, Act, and Reflect, which is someone who:
- Shows up as a PEAR advocate regularly, personally, and professionally.
- Transforms their environment, themselves, and their communities.
- Acts to embed PEAR and solutions in all they do.
- Reflects PEAR values and in how their work impacts their community.
In July, HCA hosted a coalition of primary care payers, purchasers, and providers to celebrate the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This MOU helps improve access to high-quality primary care for Washington residents. Watch the recording on TVW.
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The spotlight is a feature that recognizes an individual, program, or effort at HCA that is advancing health equity.
Tulalip Tribes, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Lummi Nation are piloting a prevention model called the Washington State Tribal Prevention System (WTPS). WTPS focuses on youth substance use prevention and built off the strengths of Tribal health and wellness efforts.
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To HCA, health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Our vision is to represent a culture in which we recognize health inequities and work with the people we serve to reduce inequities.
Learn more about health equity and Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) efforts.
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