No one understands community needs and strengths better than individuals in the community. Engaging with people served by Medicaid helps inform more effective policy and program design, resulting in higher quality, more equitable care.

This fact sheet can help Medicaid agencies, health plans, providers, and other health care organizations involve community members more effectively in program and policy decision-making. It highlights the value of community engagement, describes what it looks like in practice, and addresses its connection to health equity.

The fact sheet was developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies as part of its Community Engagement Resource Center, which is designed to support health care organizations in adopting and refining meaningful community engagement strategies. The resource center includes case studies, best practices, decision-making tools, research summaries, and other practical resources.