Bukata Hayes serves in a new role of Vice President of Racial and Health Equity for Blue Cross. We met with Bukata to discuss his job, its aim and its impact on members and the community.
thrive.: Tell us about your new role.
Bukata Hayes: In 2020, Blue Cross made a declaration that racism is a public health crisis. Blue Cross wanted to be out front and forge a way forward. This position was created to help lead the organization’s efforts to eliminate entrenched racial inequity at all levels of health care.
thrive.: That seems like a big task for one person.
Bukata: I have a team that works with me. We partner and collaborate to put our members’ experience at the center and understand how issues around race and language impact our members. We have to address those barriers to access.
thrive.: What are some specific initiatives that are underway?
Bukata: Part of what we’ve done is develop a definition around racial and health equity. We needed to be clear on what that meant. We want to embed racial and health equity in all of our processes. We’ve also partnered with community organizations and individuals, such as health care workers. Having those resources helps some of our members who are experiencing access issues.
thrive.: Is there anything else members can expect?
Bukata: Members can expect that we are willing to fully explore the ways that under-resourced members are experiencing Blue Cross, and we are committed to addressing that, particularly from a racial health and equity lens. We are committed to developing solutions for gaps in care and access. We will strive to be more culturally aware and to meet people where they are at.