We acknowledge that systemic inequities have prevented historically marginalized and underserved populations from accessing affordable and quality healthcare. And social drivers of health—such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic status, geographic location, education level—have led to different health outcomes for far too many people.

As one of the nation’s largest and most impactful charitable patient assistance foundations, the PAN Foundation has a responsibility to ensure that health equity is woven into everything that we do.

We need to do more than merely talk about the need to achieve equitable health outcomes; we must also act by living out our organizational value of “intention.” That’s why PAN has made health equity fundamental to our mission by embedding health equity principles into our culture. PAN makes intentional, datainformed decisions around our approach to health equity and measures our progress along the way.

Our actions to date include:

• Integrating health equity into our guiding principles
• Providing financial assistance to those who need it most, such as individuals whose income is at or
  below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Expanding the leadership team to include a Chief Diversity and Health Equity Officer
• Creating a health equity subcommittee as part of our DEI Council, guided by a health equity
  scorecard and regular check-ins
• Delivering a four-part webinar series on health equity, in partnership with CVS Specialty
• Integrating supplier diversity into contracting forms
• Offering a series of internal trainings around health equity
• Advocating for legislative policies that promote health equity and affordable care for all

While we recognize that the road to truly achieving equitable health outcomes for all is a long one, PAN has taken steps internally and externally toward that goal.

Internally, our health equity subcommittee has identified health equity champions representing all departments and all staff levels. These champions are working to create and update new organizational policies; promote health equity in daily practices; monitor, measure, and report based on internal KPIs; and create a safe and brave space to share thoughts and concerns. The end goal is foundational and systemic change for PAN where every individual is seen and heard, and has access and opportunity to thrive.

Externally, PAN has grown our community of partners who are championing equitable healthcare access for all and we routinely speak out against harmful policies and legislation. For example, PAN was the first charitable assistance foundation to denounce alternative funding programs, which harm patients from all backgrounds. We have also engaged with a broad network of national provider organizations to support patients from marginalized communities, including the National Medical Association, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, and the National Black Nurses Association.

Kim Baich, Chief Diversity & Health Equity Officer