Bridging the Work of Prevention and Care
Throughout this series, I have challenged us to expand our definition of “health policy.” As Dr. Iton’s post eloquently argued, our nation’s health disparities have more to do with inadequate labor and education policies than “health care” and “access” issues. A key step to addressing health equity by developing more integrated policies is to break down traditional silos and start creating multidisciplinary efforts.
I was therefore encouraged by the mention of multidisciplinary care teams in the recent position paper by the Senate Finance Committee, “Expanding Health Care Coverage: Proposals to Provide Affordable Coverage to All Americans.” [PDF] The product of the Committee’s round table discussions on health care reform, this paper focuses on ways to expand coverage and improve the delivery of care.
While much of the document’s discussion of prevention is vague and underdeveloped, the inclusion of “Prevention and Wellness Innovative Grants” gives us our first glimpse that public health voices are being heard in Washington. Under this policy option, states would receive funding to promote and reward programs that establish integrated models for health maintenance, reduce chronic disease rates and facilitate the coordination between health and human service systems.
For these programs to truly move beyond our limited focus on treatment, they must have the flexibility to look past traditional allies in the health sector and develop partnerships with stakeholders across the social service sector. As Dr. Yancey writes in a recent post, “we must align our public health objectives with those of a variety of organizations and agencies across many sectors and content areas.”
Key models of this work have already emerged in California. For example, St. John’s Well Child and Family Center has complemented its clinical care for asthma patients by forging new alliances with affordable housing developers and using community promotoras to reduce environmental triggers in South Los Angeles.
As the pace of the national debate quickens, we must make sure that primary prevention policies addressing health equity are included. Go here for copies of the policy position papers. Public comments on coverage issues are due by May 22 and comments on financing options on May 26. It is anticipated that the Finance Committee will quickly follow with bill language in the first week of June.
Public comments on the Senate Finance Committee’s papers should be directed to Health_Reform@finance-dem.senate.gov.
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