Medi-Cal and Health Equity Message Guide

• Resources
• Message Guide
  • Background
  • Core Messages
  • Messaging on Equity and Medi-Cal
  • Messaging on DHCS’ Comprehensive Quality Strategy
  • The Health Equity Roadmap
  • Additional Actions by DHCS to Advance Health Equity

Background

The Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Medi-Cal Health Equity Message Guide provides guidelines to discuss DHCS’ health equity mission as it relates to Medi-Cal programs and Medi-Cal transformation, also known as California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM).

This guide can be used by Medi-Cal communicators, such as local Medi-Cal office staff, Coverage Ambassadors, health enrollment navigators for clinics, promotores, health care providers and community health workers, Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs), K-12 schools, and more.

Core Messages

Below outlines DHCS’ health equity mission as it relates to Medi-Cal and Medi-Cal transformation, also known as CalAIM.

• DHCS is committed to healthier and more equitable Californians, taking into account race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, immigration status, history of involvement in the justice system, health needs, or location.
• Medi-Cal is providing new and improved benefits and services designed to address historic gaps in the health care delivery system caused by social drivers of health. At the same time, DHCS is collaborating with Medi-Cal members, community organizations, health plans, counties, providers, and other stakeholders to find ways to improve and advance Medi-Cal.
• Through these guiding principles and strategic priorities, DHCS and the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) are committed to advancing equity in our programs, policies, and workforce, while also delivering on Governor Gavin Newsom’s vision for a more equitable California.
• California is transforming Medi-Cal to create a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable health system that works for Californians.

Messaging on Equity and Medi-Cal

Explaining the importance of equity in health care and how it connects to Medi-Cal.

• People from historically under-resourced communities, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, have experienced higher rates of illness and death across a wide range of health conditions. 
• People without health coverage are more likely to delay care, end up in the emergency room, or forgo care altogether.
• Medi-Cal addresses inequalities in health care access and outcomes by providing care for people who have historically been left without affordable health coverage options.
• Access to lifesaving care contributes to healthier communities. Medi-Cal covers regular check-ups, provides access to needed medications, manages chronic conditions, and covers mental health and housing support.

Messaging on DHCS’ Comprehensive Quality Strategy

Explaining DHCS’ broader equity mission and the work involved.

• DHCS published and is implementing a Comprehensive Quality Strategy (CQS) that details DHCS’ strategy to assess the quality of care Medi-Cal members receive, regardless of how or where they receive it.
• The CQS highlights a set of Bold Goals to improve health outcomes and equity in key areas, including children’s preventive care, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and maternity care. These Bold Goals help drive health equity across DHCS programs so Medi-Cal providers can better serve the state’s diverse Medi-Cal members.
• The CQS describes DHCS’ plans to improve how we securely collect and use data, build workforce diversity and cultural responsiveness, and improve quality and care delivery to eliminate racial, ethnic, and other health disparities among members.

The Health Equity Roadmap

The Health Equity Roadmap is a major component of DHCS’ long-term health equity strategy.

• The Health Equity Roadmap is part of California’s broader health equity strategy, an ongoing, phased process informed by members to create a more equitable, person-centered Medi-Cal health care delivery system. 
• The Health Equity Roadmap is being developed with input from a diverse group of experts, advocates, providers, members, and stakeholders to ensure a variety of voices and experiences are included in the conversation.  
• DHCS leaders traveled across the state in late 2023 and early 2024 to hear from Medi-Cal members from historically marginalized communities. Leaders listened to members’ experiences and discussed their vision for Medi-Cal, putting members’ experiences front and center to inform the design of the Health Equity Roadmap, which will lay out specific, actionable items to achieve greater equity in health care access, quality, and outcomes. 

Additional Actions by DHCS to Advance Health Equity Include:

• Establishing the Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee to provide an opportunity for Medi-Cal members to directly influence and provide feedback on Medi-Cal program and policies.
• Investing $4.7 billion over multiple years over multiple years in youth behavioral services as  part of Governor Newsom’s $4.7 billion Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health.
• Launching the Enhanced Care Management Birth Equity Population of Focus to improve racial and economic disparities in prenatal and postpartum care, aimed at specific disparities that drive pregnancy-related mortality.
• Addressing health inequities facing justice-involved individuals, by offering a targeted set of Medi-Cal services to youth and eligible adults in state prisons, county jails, and youth correctional facilities for up to 90 days prior to release.