Community-directed research is a cornerstone of our work at the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom, and today, we’re excited to announce the release of our latest report on systemic barriers to care in collaboration with Byrd Barr Place. This time, we took a deep dive into how our healthcare system incentivizes providers for the care they provide. 

Our findings are crystal clear: for healthcare to be truly equitable, we must redefine what we pay for and whose needs are centered in those decisions.

The report looks at a payment model known as “value-based purchasing.” This approach to payment was introduced as an alternative to reimbursement methods that reward quantity of services over quality of care. 

But what’s valued most under value-based purchasing isn’t aligned with the type of care our communities know we need to be healthy. Instead, the model focuses on cost-effectiveness and quality measures that are not defined by us. Many current reimbursement models discourage providers from serving community members with complex medical needs. This exacerbates health disparities.

Our communities want trusted relationships with our care teams. We want access to our cultural and alternative medicines. And we want to be cared for as whole people with diverse health needs.

We need to be given a seat at the table to define what quality and equity in healthcare look like to us. Our policy recommendations are clear: accountability, transparency, and community direction.

Examining systems that define our care is an example of what it means for Tubman Health to address health and freedom from both clinical and systemic approaches. We’re committed to creating systems that make healthcare more equitable for everyone.

Read and download the full report below.