In this week's discussion board, I'd like each of you to explore issues related to Health Equity from the insurer’s perspective.  You will do this by reading 2 issue briefs by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).  AHIP is a national association of health insurance plans.  AHIP advocates and represents health insurance plans on different national and state health insurance issues.

For the assignment, you will begin by reading the AHIP issue brief titled, “The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Health Equity and Their Root Causes Download The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Health Equity and Their Root Causes.”  Then you will choose a second issue brief from the list below to read and review.

• Access to Healthy Foods: Social Determinants of HealthDownload Access to Healthy Foods: Social Determinants of Health
• Beyond the Boundaries of Health Care: Addressing Social IssuesDownload Beyond the Boundaries of Health Care: Addressing Social Issues
• Bridging the Digital Divide: How Health Insurance Providers Are Addressing SDOH and Promoting Access to TelehealthDownload Bridging the Digital Divide: How Health Insurance Providers Are Addressing SDOH and Promoting Access to Telehealth
• Care that Is Fair and Just: Improving Health Equity Through Medicaid Managed CareDownload Care that Is Fair and Just: Improving Health Equity Through Medicaid Managed Care
• Social Determinants of Health and Medicaid: Policy Recommendations to Achieve Greater Impact on Reducing Disparities and Advancing Health EquityDownload Social Determinants of Health and Medicaid: Policy Recommendations to Achieve Greater Impact on Reducing Disparities and Advancing Health Equity
• Social Determinants of Health: Social Isolation and Loneliness

After completing your chosen reading, post 5 bullet points summarizing what you read, followed by 3 bullet points summarizing your thoughts and self-reflection about what you read.  (The summary is worth 10 points, and the self-reflection is worth 3 points.)

Then read and comment on postings by 2 of your classmates. (Comments are worth 2 points.)

So, to summarize in this assignment you will:

1. Read the Policy Brief on health equity (5 Pages)
2. Read a Policy Brief of your choosing on social determinants of health (3-9 Pages)
3. Post 5 bullet points about your selected article from step 2.
4. Post 3 bullet points with self-reflection about what you read in step 2.
5. Respond to 2 classmates’ posts.