Bipartisan Members of Congress Seek to Address Social Determinants of Health with New Bill

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Aligning for Health, a coalition of leading health insurers, providers, and vendors, is proud to support the introduction of the Social Determinants Accelerator Act a bipartisan piece of legislation introduced by Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA).

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act will help states and communities devise strategies to leverage existing programs and authorities to address all aspects of health, including food, housing, transportation, and workforce.

Economic and social conditions have a powerful impact on our health and wellness. Known as social determinants of health, a focus on these non-medical factors can improve health outcomes and wellbeing. States and local governments are increasingly looking toward social determinants to manage costs and to improve health outcomes within their Medicaid programs. One of the greatest challenges to high-impact interventions is the difficulty of navigating fragmented and complex federal programs.

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act will provide planning grants and technical assistance to state, local, and Tribal governments who want to devise innovative, evidence-based approaches to coordinate programs and services.

"This legislation will catalyze the cross-sector collaboration and planning necessary to make the promise of a whole-person approach a reality. This bill will give state and local officials the resources they need to get beyond the silos and develop innovative approaches to complex problems," said Krista Drobac, Co-Chair of Aligning for Health.

Theresa Eagleson, Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said "Illinois' agencies for health, housing, social services and nutrition are working more closely together to develop whole person approaches for vulnerable populations. This federal legislation will provide much-needed support and be a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration and innovation."

"We have seen first-hand how removing barriers to care – including transportation, housing, food insecurity and more – are critical not only to ensuring access and adherence to basic healthcare, but also to improving lives and reducing healthcare costs. We are encouraged by the Social Determinants Accelerator Act and look forward to working with our federal and state partners, said Rhonda Mims, EVP at WellCare Health Plans.

About Aligning for Health – Aligning for Health members include: Alliance for Better Health, American Hospital Association, Amida Care, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, CareSource, Centene, Humana, Molina, Signify Health, Solera, UPMC Health Plan, and WellCare.

Additional information about Aligning for Health may be found at www.AligningforHealth.org 

Krista Drobac, 202-415-3260
[email protected]

SOURCE Aligning for Health

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