United Hospital Fund to Serve as Health Equity Regional Organization

(Jan. 28, 2025) The Department of Health (DOH) has tapped United Hospital Fund to serve as the Health Equity Regional Organization (HERO) under the State's Medicaid 1115 Waiver – the NY Health Equity Reform (NYHER) Waiver. As the HERO, United Hospital Fund will coordinate with stakeholders to bridge public health, social services, and health care delivery. Working with the Medicaid program, health care providers, community stakeholders, and academic partners, the HERO will identify effective regional approaches to addressing the social needs of Medicaid beneficiaries, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation.

According to DOH, investments in the HERO will "lay the groundwork for a new statewide data infrastructure to support the design and development of new policies, interventions, and targeted investments to improve outcomes."

The NYHER Waiver seeks to develop programs that support the delivery of health-related social needs (HRSN) services (i.e., housing, transportation, nutrition, and case management) and reduce health disparities affecting vulnerable populations. More information is available here.

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org