Health Equity Update (June 2026)
Posted on June 9, 2026
At Health New England, we believe everyone must have the opportunity to attain their full health potential with no disadvantage due to social or socially assigned circumstances. To learn more, go to Provider Policies & Resources | Health New England and click “Health Equity.”
What is Health Equity?
“Health Equity is the opportunity for everyone to attain their full health potential. No one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of their social position (e.g., class, socioeconomic status) or socially assigned circumstance (e.g., race, gender identity/gender expression, ethnicity, disability status, religion, sexual orientation, geography, language, etc.).” – MassHealth Definition
What is CLAS?
“Culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) is a way to improve the quality of services provided to all individuals, which will ultimately help reduce health disparities and achieve health equity. CLAS is about respect and responsiveness: Respect the whole individual and Respond to the individual’s health needs and preferences.
Health inequities in our nation are well documented. Providing CLAS is one strategy to help eliminate health inequities. By tailoring services to an individual’s culture and language preferences, health professionals can help bring about positive health outcomes for diverse populations.
The provision of health services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and needs of diverse patients can help close the gap in health outcomes. The pursuit of health equity must remain at the forefront of our efforts; we must always remember that dignity and quality of care are rights of all and not the privileges of a few.” – HHS Excerpt.
Click here for more information on CLAS Standards.
Our Community
The mission of Health New England is to improve the health and lives of the people in its communities, and it is deeply committed to the individuals it serves every day.
Below is a representation of HNE’s population linguistic needs using five-year estimated Census data from the 2025 Census. This data clearly shows the only two languages that meet the critical 5% threshold are English (81.2%) and Spanish (11.63%). The only county where this threshold is maintained by itself is Hampden County.
For the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment and to learn more about our members follow the link below.
2025 HNE Community Health Needs Assessment (updated every three years)
Providing appropriate linguistic services
What is your responsibility?
Health New England providers have a contractual requirement to provide translation services at the request of HNE members.
How Health New England can Help
In the event your existing translation resources are unavailable, you may utilize HNE’s emergency OnDemand translation services. For more information, please call Provider Relations at (800) 842-4464, extension 5000.
Other available resources
For more information on interpreter services available to you, follow the links below.
https://www.mass.gov/interpreter-services-at-health-care-facilities (Specific to MassHealth)
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) | HHS.gov
Offering I Speak Cards is one way to ensure patient’s linguistic needs are being correctly identified and appropriate resources/support is provided. Access to these resources in English, Spanish and many other languages may be found.
Multilingual Interpreter Rights and Requests for Help posters and cards | Mass Legal Services
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DPH/Office-of-Health-Equity/I-SPEAK/I-SPEAK-cards/2018/ASL-index.pdf
Want to learn more?
Did you know? HHS offers a 9 credit hour CLAS training for medical providers? Check the link and sign up today! Think Cultural Health CME Training
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers professional education and training including, Improving Patient Safety Systems for Patients With Limited English Proficiency. https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/professional-training/lepguide/index.html
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call your Provider Experience Representative at (800) 842-4464, extension 5000, or send an email to providerrelations@hne.com.
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