A healthy community links social services with medical providers Follow Us
Question of the Day
ANALYSIS/OPINION:
It’s common knowledge that access to quality health care, diet and exercise greatly impacts our health. But far less attention has been given to other variables that also impact our health, like economic and social factors also called “social determinants” of health. Now, data increasingly confirms that access to social services and reliable transportation, for instance, have a profound impact on health. The CDC even has a “life expectancy at birth” map that estimates your life expectancy based on your zip code. Where you live should not impact your access to quality health care and social services. Experts and providers across the country are increasingly focused on these social determinants to improve outcomes and lower costs.
Alaska) and
Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced today they will be introducing the Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities (LINC) to Address Social Needs Act, legislation that would offer grants to states to establish statewide or regional partnerships to better coordinate the work of health care and social service providers, and improve the health and well-being of Americans as a result.
The senators bill would enable states to leverage local expertise and technology through public-private partnerships to connect individuals with food, housing, child care, job training and transportation services that invariably impact a person s health care outcomes. The goal of the legislation is to connect health care providers with existing social services in order for every American to be able to access quality care, regardless of where they live.
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Different pieces of legislation supporting expansion of technology-enabled access to care were the focus on Capitol Hill this week, with bipartisan bills that provide funding for connected social care networks and call for telehealth regulatory reform gained support on separate tracks.
Aligning clinical care and social service
The new bipartisan Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities (LINC) to Address Social Needs Act was introduced by Senators Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut.
The LINC to Address Social Needs Act would offer one-time seed funding for states to help establish communication between social service providers and healthcare organizations for referral, capacity management, and outcome tracking between social service providers and healthcare organizations.