In this episode, we find a fascinating look at one state’s efforts to develop changes that will indelibly improve Health Equity for their citizens. There are so many ways in which Health Equity initiatives can be implemented on the state level. And it doesn’t have to start with some kind of legislation.

In this interview, NCQA Assistant Vice President for State Affairs Kristine Toppe moderates a discussion with state Medicaid quality leaders from Louisiana. They discuss a new report, funded by the California Health Care Foundation. The paper follows an earlier one, as Kristine will explain, with both reports geared to provide new tools for states in improving Health Equity. Specifically, the discussion here focuses on improving Medicaid-based managed care.

Kristine’s guests in this interview are Kolynda Parker, Medicaid Deputy Director, Louisiana Department of Health, and Amanda Dumas, Chief Medicaid Officer, Louisiana Department of Health.

Following this, a chat with Harry Alba, NCQA’s Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations, telling us all you need to know about the upcoming NCQA Health Innovation Summit, live in DC, October 31-November 3, 2022.

Finally, you'll hear some Fast Facts in observance of Pain Awareness Month. This time around, we focus on lower back pain. We also discuss NCQA's HEDIS measure to reduce unnecessary ordering of imaging when simple lower back pain presents with no indication of underlying conditions.

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