California looks to spend more than $100 million of state's Medicaid money per year on housing

[usonian]

https://abc7.com/california-medicaid-housing-homeless/13020831/

For decades, Medicaid, the joint state and federal health insurance program for people with disabilities or low incomes, would only pay for medical expenses. But last year the Biden administration gave Arizona and Oregon permission to use Medicaid money for housing - a nod to reams of research showing people in stable housing are healthier.

Now California wants to join those states ... Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed spending more than $100 million per year in the state's Medicaid program to pay for up to six months of housing for people who are or risk becoming homeless; are coming out of prison or foster care; or are at risk for hospitalization or emergency room visits.

It would be the biggest test yet of using Medicaid money for housing. California has the nation's largest Medicaid program, with more than 13 million patients - or about a third of the state's population. California also has nearly a third of the nation's homeless population, according to federal data.

"It's a huge step toward breaking down the silos that have gotten in the way of taking care of the whole person rather than limb by limb and illness by illness," said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy group.

Much more at the link.

IMO: To the wealthy, decent housing and affordable medical care are "expanding the welfare state", (from the article) whereas, it can be seen as an investment in people and reduction in emergency medical costs.