any in the healthcare community recognize the critical role that factors outside the doctor’s office play in shaping health outcomes. As a result, they are working to better understand and address these influences in a way that strengthens patient care and promotes individual well-being.

Health plans have stepped up by investing in care coordination services and offering targeted support, such as transportation to medical appointments, nutrition assistance, and employment services, to help individuals lead healthier, more self-sufficient lives.

At the same time, governors and state leaders across the country are taking proactive steps to integrate these non-clinical factors into healthcare strategies—especially within Medicaid, which provides coverage for over 74 million Americans, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, and pregnant women.

States have explored ways to leverage Medicaid resources to support services like housing assistance and social service referrals, recognizing that stable living conditions and access to community support can lead to better health outcomes. However, Medicaid remains primarily a program for medical care, and its statutory limitations reflect the need to ensure that healthcare funding is used effectively and as intended.

Additionally, the way federal dollars are allocated creates challenges for coordinating efforts across different government programs. Currently, funding for key services such as housing, healthcare, nutrition, and transportation is fragmented across multiple agencies, making it difficult for states to streamline support and eliminate inefficiencies. Reducing bureaucratic hurdles and increasing flexibility could allow states to deliver more effective and fiscally responsible solutions that address the full spectrum of individuals’ needs.