Extensive research demonstrates the impact of social factors—such as income, access to food and housing, and employment status—on the health and health outcomes of Americans, particularly lower-income populations. These findings are not lost on federal and state officials who seek to provide Medicaid beneficiaries with quality, cost-effective care. In developing strategies to address both the medical and social determinants of health, states face several challenges, including, primarily, how to provide a revenue stream to cover the cost of the social services. Read more…
