Definitions
Health Equity
The
Health Equity Committee (HEC), a subcommittee of the Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB), believes that a common definition of health equity helps foster dialogue and bridge divides. Lack of clarity on the meaning of health equity can pose a barrier for active engagement and action.1 In October 2019, the HEC definition of Health Equity was adopted by OHPB and OHA. The HEC defines health equity as follows:
Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.
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Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address:
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The equitable distribution or redistribution of resources and power; and
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Recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.
Health Equity Infrastructure
The term “health equity infrastructure" refers to the meaningful adoption and use of culturally and linguistically responsive models, policies, and practices. These include but are not limited to: Health Equity Plan and Health Equity Administrator; community and member engagement; provision of quality language access; workforce diversity; ADA compliance and accessibility of CCO and provider network; ACA 1557 compliance; CCO and provider network organizational training and development; implementation of the CLAS Standards; and non- discrimination policies.
Cultural Competence
“Cultural Competence" has the meaning provided for in OAR
943-090-0010. Operationally defined, Cultural Competence is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes.
Coordinated Care Organization (CCO)
A “coordinated care organization" or “CCO" is a network of all types of health care providers (physical health care, addictions and mental health care and dental care providers) who work together in their local communities to serve people who receive health care coverage under the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). CCOs focus on prevention and helping people manage chronic conditions, like diabetes. This helps reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and gives people support to be healthy.