Description
Obtaining a diverse pool of medical services providers is an important part of the requirements in contracts for medical services for Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The provision below is intended for inclusion in OWCP performance work statements for medical services contracts. It requires the contractor to utilize as diverse a group of medical service providers as practicable. The satisfactory performance of services, and improvements in treatment outcomes, depends in part on overcoming barriers to access to medical services by underserved communities. Advancing Equity in the Pool of Medical Service Providers Supporting Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) In accordance with the statutes and regulations governing OWCP, including 5 U.S.C. Section 8103, implementing regulations at 20 C.F.R. Sections 10.300 et seq. , as well as Executive Order (E.O.) 13985, which orders federal agency heads to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, the contractor shall to the greatest extent practicable provide a diverse pool of medical service providers and shall adopt policies and practices for the engagement of medical service providers (whether through hiring as employees, by subcontracting, or otherwise) that promote fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals. The contractor shall advance equity in the process of hiring and/or subcontracting for medical service providers and shall take steps to overcome barriers that underserved communities and individuals may face in accessing medical services under OWCP programs. In order to accomplish this, the contractor should conduct outreach to underserved communities with respect to employment and subcontracting opportunities, to include, among other things, working with affinity groups, colleges and universities, minority serving educational institutions, and other similar organizations, e.g., National Black Chamber of Commerce, Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership, the U.S. Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Hispanic Associations of Colleges and Universities (HACUs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). The contractor understands and agrees to the following: That advancing equity in the pool of medical service providers, and in the provision of medical services, will have a positive impact on the delivery of the services required under this contract; that many disparities exist in the diagnosis and treatment of pain (and other symptoms, conditions) between persons of various backgrounds, due to factors such as language barriers, and socio-economic status; these disparities manifest not only in whether and how pain is perceived and communicated by individuals, but also in the clinical assessment and treatment of pain when reported by members of different communities; that the contractor’s efforts to advance diversity in the pool of medical service providers are important and necessary to overcome barriers to access by underserved communities in the diagnosis and treatment of pain, and to improve treatment outcomes for all under this contract. Contractors must submit a monthly Medical Service Provider Diversity report. The report must include a description of the contractor’s efforts to advance equity in the engagement of medical service providers that perform work under this contract, including efforts by subcontractors. The report must also state the number of individuals from underserved communities that are providing medical services in support of this contract, and their geographic location within the country. This requirement shall apply to subcontractors at all tiers who perform medical services under this contract and a similar requirement must be included in every subcontract at any tier. The terms “underserved communities,” “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion” and “accessibility,” as used in this provision have the same definition as in E.O. 13985.