Health Forward Foundation team members joined leaders and reps from some of the grassroot organizations they’ve funded to make the trip to Jefferson City, MO, for the foundation’s first Health Forward Day at the Capitol on March 6.
Working to change policies that negatively impact the health of the communities the foundation serves is an essential part of Health Forward’s work. The day at the capitol was designed to help leverage the organization’s impact on policies, by training and further engaging their funded organizations in advocating for effective policy changes.
Individuals from about 20 Health Forward-funded agencies made the trip to Jeff City where they participated in Advocacy 101 training, observed the Missouri Senate in session, and heard from several members of the Kansas City delegation on bills they’re working on.
Anti-DEI Legislation
Particular attention was paid to the growing list of anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion bills introduced in the senate.
At least three bills – HB2365, HB2448 and HB 2619 – would prohibit any state department from spending any state dollars on DEI programs.
HB 2567 similarly prohibits any medical institutions of higher education from spending any funds on DEI programs.
A Health Forward-commissioned study released earlier this month, analyzed currently proposed legislation in both Kansas and Missouri and found the potential for economic loss in both states due to proposed anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion laws.
According to their findings, policies perceived to be discriminatory, irrespective of their stated purpose or actual intent, can lead to economic harm.
The study, prepared by the Perryman Group, estimates that bills and initiatives currently under consideration in Missouri that could be seen as discriminatory put the state at risk of losing nearly $2.6 billion in annual gross product and 23,842 jobs as of 2030.
Data Disaggregation
Another focus area of the day’s agenda was the importance of having disaggregated health data.
Data disaggregation refers to the breaking down of data into smaller groupings, often based on characteristics such as age, ethnicity, gender identity, income, location, race and sex.
In public health, disaggregated data helps individuals and groups better understand the individuals and groups they serve, to create more appropriate interventions and evaluate programs and policies to ensure effectiveness.
Sarah Crosley, deputy director of the Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence (MOCPHE), gave a recent example that the obesity rate is down by 2% in Missouri. However, a further look at disaggregated data found obesity was down 6% in Whites but up 2% in Blacks, which paints a totally different picture for the African-American community.
Health Forward supports requiring standardized and disaggregated data collection.
This year, MO Sen. Barbara Washington introduced a bill requiring disaggregated data collection around maternal deaths.
Her bill would create a “Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board” within the Department of Health & Senior Services. In its study and review of maternal deaths, the bill requires the board to review and report disaggregated data.
While MOCPHE is pushing for a much broader range of data disaggregation, McClain Bryant Macklin, Health Forward Foundation vice president of policy and impact, said the foundation is beginning with a much smaller focus in the area of disaggregation. .
“Our strategy has been to sort of start, do the case making for that [maternal death] and then go broader,” said Macklin.
Further Advocacy
Health Forward and its lobbyists are continuing to follow and advocate for and against
bills introduced during this year’s legislative session in both Missouri and Kansas.
All this was packed into the nonprofit’s first “Day at the Capitol.” Robert Gibson, Health Forward’s impact strategist for policy, says it’s something they plan on doing again next year. So, stay tuned.
