Kim Keck is firmly focused on building a better, more equitable system of health for all. Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are taking on one of the nation’s most complex crises: the deeply entrenched health inequities that impact far too many Americans. This commitment sparked the development of a new Health Equity Policy Platform, building on BCBSA’s 2021 National Health Equity Strategy.
Can you share more about your focus on health equity and its role in improving the health of America?
KK: Your health should not depend on what you look like or where you live.
When I joined BCBSA three years ago, the Blues committed to advancing health equity, using our size and scale to drive real change — to create a better system of health for all, one that is equitable and centered on trust.
By covering every ZIP code in America, we understand how to address fundamental issues in healthcare at a local level. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, partnering with health workers and local organizations focusing on the root causes of health disparities outside of the doctor’s office.
Together, I believe we can make real progress, and we call on our partners across the system to join us in this effort.
Why did you choose to focus on maternal health as a key to your larger goal?
KK: The maternal health crisis is perhaps the most profound example of health inequity. Racial disparities span education levels, socioeconomic status, age and geography. Many complications from labor and delivery are preventable. The Blues have a longstanding commitment to maternal health equity and are in a strong position to help drive change.
What actions are you taking to advance maternal health equity?
KK: We’ve been leading this work in communities, partnering with trusted community organizations. I’m proud that collectively the Blues have invested $500 million in community health initiatives.
This multi-dimensional problem needs a multi-dimensional solution, so we focused our action across four key areas:
- Approach to care: Partnering directly with providers and expanding access to non-provider practitioners such as doulas and nurse midwives
- Public policy: Advocating for policies focused on equitable care
- Communities: Focusing on root causes of health disparities
- Data collection: Creating national standards to manage what we cannot currently measure
You have been vocal about the need to standardize health equity data collection. What prompted this focus?
KK: The lack of national data collection standards is a significant contributor to gaps in equity. For example, without consistent demographic data in maternal health, we do not have an accurate picture of how complications impact mothers of various races and ethnicities.
In March, the federal government made important progress. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published revised data standards for the first time in nearly 30 years. Now, we are closer to having the forms people fill out in the doctor’s office better reflect our diverse country. It’s a step that will help people feel seen—a critical factor to build much-needed trust in healthcare.
We applaud OMB for this important change and are proud of our work with the National Minority Quality Forum, through the Data Equity Coalition, to get to this point. We are hopeful this is the first of many actions the federal government will take to create a better system of health.
You recently included enhanced health equity criteria for your Blue Distinction Centers for Maternity Care. What are those criteria and how will they help solve the maternal health crisis?
KK: Our Blue Distinction Centers program recognizes facilities delivering exceptional care and results. They are already helping close gaps in care and dismantle cultural, operational and structural barriers to maternal care equity.
To build upon that work, we have introduced new maternity care criteria to evaluate Centers. In addition to quality measures, we now look at a facility’s commitment to health equity, including how it collects and analyzes race and ethnicity data to reduce healthcare disparities and if nurse midwives, doulas and birthing centers are included in provider networks. The enhanced requirements can help millions of mothers gain improved access to higher-quality, equitable care.
This Executive Insight was produced and sponsored by:
To learn more, visit: www.bcbs.com/health-equity-platform