Broadband access focus of first initiative under $12M health equity program
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Indianapolis-based Managed Health Services this month announced the launch of a $12 million health equity program called MHS Serves, with the goal of reducing and eliminating health disparities throughout the state.
The program, in partnership with the Indiana Minority Health Coalition and Black Onyx Management, will provide at least $2 million annually to support various community-based initiatives.
The first initiative is the Broadband Access Strategic Partnership, in which MHS Serves will provide funding to partner organizations to support internet and technology adoption in historically marginalized communities.
Christina Hage, senior vice president of external relations for MHS, told Inside INdiana Business that improving broadband access is a key first step for the program.
“Throughout the state of Indiana, we have seen that access to broadband significantly impacts people’s access to health care services,” Hage said. “A lot of health care can be provided digitally, whether that’s calls to your doctor [or] video conferencing. Investing in broadband is really a long-term strategy to help support that access to care throughout the state.”
Hage said MHS–which administers Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect Medicaid, and the Healthy Indiana Plan–aims to create evidence-based models that can help create sustainable long-term outcomes for Hoosiers.
“We have seen that digital access for health care services has been seen to improve people’s overall outcome,” she said. “So that’s what we’ll be focused on: really data-driven, locally based communities addressing different needs in our rural and suburban areas. That’s really what we think is going to move the needle is those specific tailoring to local communities.”
MHS is looking to increase the number of certified Broadband Ready Communities in Indiana through the Broadband Access Strategic Partnership through strategic planning and broadband surveys, and growing internet adoption in under-resourced communities through place-based initiatives.
The Indiana Minority Health Coalition is a statewide not-for-profit that works to eliminate health disparities through research, education and access to health care services for minority populations.
Black Onyx Management is a consultancy that works to advance diversity, equity and inclusion through developing programs, implementing projects, analysis and assessments and training efforts.
“We understand that the social determinants of health impact so much of our daily living,” Black Onyx Management President and CEO Marshawn Wolley said in written remarks. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to empower community-based organizations to support an improved quality of life for communities around the state.”
MHS has established an advisory council for MHS Serves to identify current factors leading to health disparities and come up with programs to address those issues.
Through the broadband program, community-based organizations can apply for funding, the amount of which will vary depending on their proposals. Applications are currently open on the MHS Serves website and are being accepted through July 12.
Hage said MHS is spending this year focusing on the broadband initiative, but plans to reach out to its Medicaid members to see how they can be better served using funding from MHS Serves in future years.