Equity and Health Equity Guiding Principles

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

1. Guiding principles that relate to the work they perform;
2. Strategies that align with this policy; and
3. Methods for measuring progress.

• 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.

• 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?

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CSR 1-01