Trinity Health President and CEO Mike Slubowski Affirms Commitment to Health Equity, Desire to Advance the Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Report Recommendations

Underinvestment and failure to address social influencers of health have put many in our community and across our country at heightened risk for COVID-19. Years of failure to address issues that include crowded living conditions, high-risk workplaces, racism and discrimination, and lack of access to health care means a disproportionate number of those who are Black and Latino have contracted, were hospitalized, and ultimately died from COVID-19. Further, in many communities, vulnerable populations continue to lack optimal access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Trinity Health has focused on supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. We have collaborated with local public health and community partners to provide medical services to those who are experiencing homelessness, uninsured, underinsured or with Medicaid, and/or lack the resources to obtain care. We made a commitment to address racism as a public health crisis and eliminate health disparities, which was highlighted in our first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Equity Symposium held January 17.

In collaboration with community health workers, Trinity Health expanded our social care hubs. These hubs have been able to connect community members to food, housing, financial assistance, and primary medical care. In 2020, our Transforming Communities Initiative provided more than $500,000 in funding to underserved communities to support COVID-19 needs. Committed to equitable access, we have supported mobile testing and pop-up vaccine clinics at churches and community centers, focusing on communities that have limited time and resources to access health care. Trinity Health invested $2.6 million in our "It Starts Here" vaccine outreach and education campaign to amplify the message that vaccines save lives and provide easy access within the community to receive the vaccine.

The Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force's report and recommendations align with comments Trinity Health shared in August 2021. If implemented, these recommendations will move the country toward the following four laudable goals: 1) everyone will have equitable access to high-quality health care; 2) data will accurately represent all populations and their lived experiences to drive equitable experiences; 3) health equity will be centered in all processes, practices, and policies; and 4) community expertise and effective communication will be elevated in health care and public health.

Trinity Health looks forward to working with Congress to advance these vital Health Equity Task Force recommendations to help make health equity a reality in our communities and across the nation.