OPED: Colorado could improve health through housing and nutrition services – Colorado Sentinel

Many of us have heard the stark statistics about US health care from a global perspective: Compared to other high-income countries, the US spends a significantly higher percentage of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP, which measures the total production of goods of a country). and services over time) in health care, but we have the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rates from preventable or treatable conditions, the highest maternal and child mortality, and among the highest suicide rates . This mismatch of spending more for worse results has persisted for decades.

There are countless forces and factors that drive and perpetuate this disturbing reality; among them is the disproportionate impact of poverty and how it prevents people, especially those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, from accessing critical services that could dramatically improve and save lives.

Having a safe and stable home and constant access to nutritious food is critical to a person’s well-being and ability to maintain good health. However, many people across the country and in Colorado lack these basic needs, and the entities they rely on to help, including Medicaid health plans and community organizations, often lack sustainable funding to provide these services. The state of Colorado now has the opportunity to include food and housing in health care, leading to better health outcomes, reduced health costs and prevention of homelessness.

This session’s bipartisan legislation ( House Bill 24-1322 ) would allow the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to study how to provide certain housing and nutrition services within Medicaid and obtain federal approval to do so through a Section 1115 waiver. These waivers allow states to test new approaches to Medicaid, and several states in Arizona, North Carolina, Oregon and more have already seized this transformative opportunity to receive federal approval to cover housing services and nutrition, such as rental assistance and meal delivery to communities. with the greatest need. Traditionally, we don’t think of food and housing as part of health care, but growing evidence shows that they are key factors in our overall health.

As the states largest Medicaid health plan, Colorado Access serves approximately half a million members in Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid program) and Children’s Health Plan. Month (CHP+). Addressing the social determinants of health like housing and nutrition offers a moment of great change and opportunity for Medicaid.

From the Colorado Health Access Survey, we know that: In Denver County, 35% of Medicaid members reported that they or their dependents ate less than they thought they should in the year past because they could not afford to eat. In Douglas, Adams and Arapahoe counties, 36% of Medicaid members worried about not having stable housing in the next two months and/or reported problems paying rent or mortgage in the past year.

A strong body of research, including analysis of programs in Colorado, shows the benefits of addressing social needs, such as less time in emergency rooms, lower health care costs, and reduced participation in criminal justice. Our experience serving Medicaid members here in Colorado for nearly 30 years bears this out.

Medicaid’s housing and food support for targeted populations, such as members experiencing homelessness and those who are pregnant or postpartum, reduces future costs and saves taxpayer dollars, but it also contributes more federal dollars to our state dollars than other states. already access

In particular, Medicaid could pay for six months of rental assistance or temporary housing at a time when the number of homeless people in Colorado continues to grow. Medicaid could also cover a number of other services, including pre-lease and rental support services, home modifications, and supplies to maintain healthy temperatures and clean air in extreme weather events.

In addition to housing support, Medicaid could pay to address food insecurity through nutrition counseling and education, meal delivery, medically tailored food prescriptions, and links to community food resources.

We must take advantage of the opportunity this legislation provides for Medicaid, and we appreciate the support of lawmakers, advocates and administrations. By addressing the social determinants of health, such as housing and nutrition, we have a significant new opportunity to improve the overall health and well-being of our communities and to redefine health care to support the whole person .

Annie Lee is president and CEO of Colorado Access. Prior to joining Colorado Access in 2022, he held leadership positions at Childrens Hospital Colorado and Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Prior to that, Annie worked at the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing on both CHP+ and Medicaid benefit policy.

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