Boost Colorado’s Health with Enhanced Housing & Nutrition Services
TL/DR –
The US spends a higher percentage of its GDP on healthcare compared to other high-income countries, yet has poorer health outcomes. One of the factors driving this is poverty, which prevents marginalized communities from accessing crucial health services. Colorado is considering a bill that would include food and housing in healthcare services, leveraging federal Medicaid funding to provide these services, as research and experience suggest addressing these social determinants can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
US Healthcare Disparity: High Spending versus Poor Outcomes
Despite the United States’ enormous healthcare expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the country lags behind other high-income nations in key health indicators. US life expectancy at birth is the lowest, death rates for preventable conditions are the highest, and maternal and infant mortality, as well as suicide rates, are among the worst globally.
This disheartening reality has poverty as one of its driving forces. It hinders people, especially those from underrepresented and marginalized communities, from accessing vital healthcare services that could drastically improve or even save lives.
The Impact of Housing and Nutrition on Health
Access to safe and stable housing, along with a consistent supply of nutritious food, is crucial for maintaining good health. However, these basic needs are unattainable for many individuals in the US and Colorado, specifically. The current support systems, such as Medicaid health plans and community organizations, often lack sustainable funding to address these essentials. The State of Colorado has the opportunity to incorporate food and housing into healthcare, paving the way for improved health outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and homelessness prevention.
Legislation to Include Housing and Nutrition in Healthcare
Current bipartisan legislation (House Bill 24-1322) proposes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to explore the provision of housing and nutrition services within Medicaid. The plan is to seek federal approval via a Section 1115 waiver, allowing states to experiment with novel approaches in Medicaid. Several states, including Arizona, North Carolina, and Oregon, have already secured federal approval for such initiatives, recognizing the importance of food and housing in overall health.
As the largest Medicaid health plan in the state, Colorado Access provides healthcare for around half a million members through Health First Colorado and Child Health Plan Plus. Addressing social determinants of health like housing and nutrition could be a transformative moment for Medicaid.
Data Highlighting the Urgent Need for Change
The Colorado Health Access Survey reveals that 35% of Medicaid members in Denver County reported not obtaining enough food due to financial constraints. Also, 36% of Medicaid members in Douglas, Adams, and Arapahoe counties indicated concerns about housing stability or faced difficulties paying their rent or mortgage. Research shows that addressing these social needs results in reduced emergency room visits, decreased healthcare costs, and fewer criminal justice encounters, echoing our experience with Medicaid in Colorado for almost three decades.
Benefits of Medicaid Support for Housing and Nutrition
Medicaid support for housing and food, especially for target groups such as the homeless and pregnant or postpartum individuals, can not only reduce future costs and save taxpayer money but also attract more federal funds to the state. Medicaid could potentially offer a six-month rental assistance or temporary housing, crucial in the wake of rising homelessness in Colorado. It could also cover a variety of other services like pre-tenancy and tenancy support, home modifications, and provisions for maintaining safe indoor environments during extreme weather conditions.
On the nutrition front, Medicaid could offer solutions to food insecurity through nutrition counseling and education, meal delivery, medically tailored food prescriptions, and links to community-based food resources. Through this legislation, Medicaid has the opportunity to redefine healthcare by addressing the social determinants of health like housing and nutrition, thereby improving the overall health and well-being of our communities.
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