Delaware is the only state where 100% of its hospitals scored perfectly on health equity measures, according to CMS data.
The agency used hospital commitment to health equity data, such as social determinants of health data, race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation and disability status to determine access to equitable care and coverage. Facilities were ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. CMS then compiled a ranking of states based on the percentage of facilities that received each score. Data was collected between January and December 2023 and was last updated Aug. 6.
This database is one CMS is proposing to remove from its hospital inpatient quality reporting program. The agency outlined the changes April 11 as part of its 2026 proposed rules for systems receiving Medicare payment. CMS proposes to remove four measures:
- Hospital commitment to health equity
- COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel
- Screening for social drivers of health
- Screen positive rate for social drivers of health
Here are the states with the highest and lowest percentages of facilities with a 5 out of 5 score.
Highest
1. Delaware: 100%
2. Maryland: 95%
3. Colorado: 93%
4. Utah: 92%
5. Tennessee: 91%
6. Rhode Island: 90%
7. New Jersey: 89%
8. Massachusetts: 88%
8. Minnesota: 88%
10. North Carolina: 87%
Lowest
1. New Hampshire: 33%
2. Wyoming: 36%
3. Idaho: 50%
4. Iowa: 51%
5. Arizona: 55%
6. North Dakota: 57%
6. Oklahoma: 57%
8. Kentucky: 60%
9. Michigan: 63%
10. Oregon: 64%
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