Meagan Khau, MHA, who is the director of the Data Analytics & Research Group in CMS’ Office of Minority Health, initiated a discussion on Priority 1 of the CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022–2032. She presented a white paper that identifies various initiative.
This board, featured at the 2024 CMS Health Equity Conference, discussed the significance of standardizing the collection of health equity data. It also emphasized the inclusion of optional questions about sexual orientation and gender identity in the Marketplace insurance application, aiming to advance health equity for LGBTQI+ individuals. The panel also addressed updates to the application, including new sociodemographic questions, with a focus on ensuring alignment with health information technology interoperability standards and addressing consumer privacy concerns.
Nancy Chiles Shaffer, PhD, the technical director of data strategy and operations at CMS’ Office of Minority Health, emphasized the importance of collecting detailed sociodemographic data to advance health equity. This need is also referenced in the CMS Framework for Advancing Health Care in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities.
