

Spotlight
Nominate Your Organization for the 2025 CMS Health Equity Award
Nominations for the 2025 CMS Health Equity Award are now open to organizations working to advance health equity, showing others how to reduce disparities in health care access, quality, and outcomes. Nominations are due February 18 at 11:59 pm PT.
CMS Health Equity Awardees will be recognized at the CMS Health Equity Conference: Building a Healthier America on April 23-24, 2025.
How to Submit a Nomination
Review the criteria and submit your form to the CMS Office of Minority Health at OMH@cms.hhs.gov; use the subject: ATTN: CMS Health Equity Award. Complete one form per nominee. Questions about the award can also be submitted to this mailbox.
About the Award
Health equity is defined by CMS as the attainment of the highest level of health for all people, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their optimal health regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, preferred language, and other factors that affect access to care and health outcomes. CMS is working to eliminate avoidable differences in health outcomes experienced by people who are disadvantaged or underserved, and to provide the care and support people need to thrive.
In previous years, CMS recognized organizations who have demonstrated a strong commitment to health equity by reducing disparities affecting populations that are underserved, such as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, individuals with limited English proficiency, members of rural, Tribal, and geographically isolated communities, and other individuals impacted by persistent poverty and inequality.
The 2025 CMS Health Equity Award will continue this focus by recognizing organizations that are using the CMS Framework for Health Equity to advance health equity and reduce disparities in health care access, quality, and outcomes.
Why Should I Apply for the Award?
Recipients of the 2025 CMS Health Equity Award will receive recognition at the 2025 CMS Health Equity Conference: Building a Healthier America. Here, they will be awarded a plaque showcasing their dedication to health equity in front of a broad and diverse audience within the public health and health policy sphere, amplifying their organizations’ visibility and platform. Additionally, CMS will feature the awardees’ work prominently on its website, as well as being spotlighted on its social media. Organizations will receive a badge for display on their own website, symbolizing their commitment to advancing health equity. Lastly, awardees will have the opportunity to lead webinars with CMS and engage with its partner organizations and audience.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Types of eligible organizations include:
- Public and private organizations at state, local, county, and tribal levels
- Non-Governmental organizations, non-profits, businesses, academic organizations, and those impacting health outcomes
- Philanthropic organizations, and tribal organizations who align themselves with or promote the CMS Framework for Health Equity (PDF) and the CMS Strategic Plan’s Pillar for Health Equity
- Must demonstrate reduction in disparities in health care quality, access, or outcomes in the communities and populations they serve.
- Must serve at least one of the following populations: racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, rural populations, and other individuals impacted by persistent poverty and inequality.
- All CMS partner/stakeholder organizations and networks, at the organizational level, are eligible for the award, including: QIN-QIOs, BFCC-QIOs, HIINs, TCPI Networks, ESRD Networks, Hospitals, State Medicaid Agencies, Health Plans, Model Participants, Provider Groups and Organizations, and all other organizations who work with CMS beneficiaries and their providers.
Please Note: The award winners will be recognized at the 2025 CMS Health Equity Conference on April 23-24, 2025. As such, the awardees are asked to participate in the conference, plan to accept the award, and come prepared to speak to their organizations’ role in reducing disparities in health care quality, access, or health outcomes.
Past Award Winners
Past winners of the CMS Health Equity Award include Latino Connection and Augusta Health. Read more about past award winners: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/health-equity/minority-health/equity-programs/past-award-winners.