Corporate Social Responsibility / CSR 1-01
Equity and Health Equity
Effective Date:TBD / Policy Owner:Rosemond Owens, Dir Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Revision Date:TBD / Executive Sponsor:Paula Phillippe, SVP, HR and Corporate Social Responsibility
Category:Corporate Social Responsibility / Committee Approval Date:TBD
Subcategory:Equity / Last Reviewed Date:TBD
Policy Status:Active / Review Frequency:Annual
Policy Statement:
Blue Cross will adopt strategies to advance equity and health equity across the organization and among the communities we serve in the corporate strategic plan. We will provide fair treatment, access and opportunity for our employees and business partners, and reduce and ultimately eliminate preventable differences in health outcomes for our members and all Minnesotans.
Policy Rationale:
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota we believe that all people should have opportunities to live the healthiest lives possible, regardless of their race, income, geography or other demographic factors.
Overall, Minnesota consistently ranks as one of the healthiest states, but Health Inequities still persist. Despite the efforts of government, private sectors, public interest groups, and community groups, these gaps in health equity continue to grow. Blue Cross is uniquely positioned to be a leader to reduce and ultimately eliminate Health Inequities and make a healthy difference in people’s lives.
Scope:
This policy applies to all Blue Cross employees, including Blue Cross employees who perform work for controlled affiliates (for example Blue Plus, Comprehensive Care Services, ClearStone Solutions, and MII Life, Incorporated).
POLICY DETAILS:
  1. Equity and Health Equity Guiding Principles
  2. Consistent with its stated vision and mission, Blue Cross willbe a leader in addressing the broad health connections to social, economic, and public policy-making positions that cause or contribute to Health Inequities.
  3. Blue Cross will draw upon the assets and challenges of communities experiencing Health Inequities when identifying opportunities to advance equity and health equity.
  4. Blue Cross will focus efforts on the following priorities:
  5. Delivering relevant services, products and programs that improve health outcomes while serving people in the communities where they live;
  6. Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce that embraces a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives and reflects the populations we serve;
  7. Utilizing strategic relationships with vendors, community organizations, and health care providers, and aligning with other partners who aspire to the same vision.
  8. Integrating health equity principles and capabilities into our value proposition, strategic plan and individual goals.
  9. The Blue Cross Enterprise Risk Management Program will establish, review, and monitor risk tolerances in instances where disparities in equity and health equity may jeopardize Blue Cross’ pursuit of mission, strategy or objectives.
  1. Equity Analysis
  2. All employees must consider how our efforts to advance equity and health equity impact their daily work. When appropriate, an Equity Analysis will be conducted before moving forward on key business initiatives and investments.
  3. Assistance in evaluating the impact to equity and health equity is available from the Office of Health Equity and Diversity and Inclusion (OHEDI) as well as equity coaches, employees who have been trained in examining and addressing equity, and health equity considerations.
  1. Health Equity Integration Council
  2. Blue Cross has established the Health Equity Integration Council (HEIC) to provide subject matter expertise on strategies to advance equitable outcomes both internally and throughout Minnesota.
  3. The HEIC is responsible for:
  4. Engaging departments across the organization in equity and health equity work and strategies;
  5. Centralizing and incorporating innovation on equity and health equity across the organization;
  6. Reviewing the balance of equity and health equity decisions within the organization, identifying trade-offs in decision making, and elevating disparities for monitoring and taking action; and
  7. Monitoring and reporting on efforts at Blue Cross and throughout Minnesota to advance equitable outcomes.
  8. The HEIC will report no less than annually to the Operating Council on policy implementation and efforts to advance equity and health equity.
  1. Implementation
This policy sets out the overarching goals and commitments Blue Cross is making as an organization to reduce and ultimately eliminate Health Inequities. Additional policy work will be part of the implementation, using the following framework as business units identify their contribution to achieving these goals:
  1. Guiding principles that relate to the work they perform;
  2. Strategies that align with this policy; and
  3. Methods for measuring progress.

DEFINITIONS:
Communities Experiencing Inequities: means a group of people identified by a common characteristic(s) who may experience differences in outcomes that are systemic, avoidable and unjust. Examples of communities that often experience inequities are the following populations:
  • People of Color: individuals of non-Caucasianheritage who identify as non-white.
  • American Indians: Descendants of the native people of North America who identify as American Indian.
  • Persons with Disabilities: Anypersonwho has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Equity:means the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Equity is achieved when everyone in a community can reach their full potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.
Equity Analysis: means an analysis of the impact of proposals, policies, and programs on various populations, with a focus on impact on communities experiencing Health Inequities. Typically, an equity analysis will consider the following:
  • What is the expected impact?
  • Who is/may be impacted by the action/proposal?
  • Have representatives from impacted groups been consulted to determine how to address the issues?
  • Does/will the action/proposal reduce or eliminate any disparities, if so, how?
  • If adopted, can we sustain the action/proposal?
  • What resources or tools are needed to achieve and sustain the effort?
  • Does the action/proposal comply with the federal Office of Minority Health culturally and linguistically appropriate services standards?
Health Equity: means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care”. (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation definition).
Health Inequities: means differences in outcomes that are systemic, avoidable and unjust. Inequities are reduced and ultimately eliminated by the removal of barriers that prevent a person from being as healthy as possible.
Risk Tolerance: means the acceptable level of variation relative to the achievement of objectives. Risk tolerance statements have been developed to facilitate consistent decision making in alignment with Blue Cross’ Risk Appetite by providing more tactical measures to consider regarding risk.
Links & References:
COM 1-07 Information Access and Translation Services
COM 1-08 Contractor and Consultant Standards
HRM 5-10 Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
HRM 6-50 Harassment and Unprofessional Behavior
PUR 1-03 Enterprise Sourcing Strategy & Procurement Policy
PUR 1-04 Vendor Management
Placeholder for future Health Equity share point site (this is where tools and resources would be placed).

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CSR 1-01