Nominations for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Health Equity Award Now Open

Download Nomination Form

Why should I Apply for the Award?

Recipients of the Health Equity Award will receive recognition at the 2024 CMS Health Equity Conference, where they will be awarded a plaque showcasing their dedication to health equity in front of a broad and diverse audience within the public health and health policy sphere, amplifying their organizations visibility and platform. Additionally, CMS will feature their work prominently on its website, and organizations will receive a badge for display on their own website, symbolizing their commitment to advancing health equity.

• Types of eligible organizations include:

  • Public and private organizations at state, local, county, and Tribal levels.
  • Non-Governmental organizations, non-profits, businesses, academic organizations, and those impacting health outcomes.
  • Organizations that impact health outcomes, philanthropic organizations, and Tribal organizations who align themselves with or promote the CMS Framework for Health Equity (PDF) and the CMS Strategic Plan’s Pillar for Health Equity.
• Must demonstrate that they have reduced disparities in health care quality, access, or outcomes in the communities and populations they serve
• Must serve at least one of the following populations: racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, rural populations, and other individuals impacted by persistent poverty and inequality.

Please Note: The award winner will be recognized at the 2024 CMS Health Equity Conference on May 29-30. As such, the awardee is asked to participate in the conference, plan to accept the award, and come prepared to speak to their organization’s role in reducing disparities in health care quality, access, or health outcomes.

Application Process

The CMS Office of Minority Health will assess each application through a competitive process, with input from representatives across CMS, to identify organizations that have had the most significant impact on health equity. Awardees will be notified by May 3, 2024.

About the Award

Health equity is defined by CMS as the attainment of the highest level of health for all people, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, preferred language, and other factors that affect access to care and health outcomes. CMS is working to eliminate avoidable differences in health outcomes experienced by people who are disadvantaged or underserved, and to provide the care and support people need to thrive.

In previous years, CMS recognized organizations who have demonstrated a strong commitment to health equity by reducing disparities affecting vulnerable populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, individuals with limited English proficiency, members of rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities, and other individuals impacted by persistent poverty and inequality.

The 2024 CMS Health Equity Award will continue this focus by recognizing organizations that are using the CMS Framework for Health Equity to advance health equity and reduce disparities in health care access, quality, and outcomes.

Past winners of the CMS Health Equity Award include HealthPartners, Centene Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, and Novant Health. Learn more about these awardees and their work:

https://www.cms.gov/priorities/health-equity/minority-health/equity-programs/past-award-winners