Social service shortfalls hinder health, boost medical spending

[Bill USA]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/02/social-service-shortfalls-hinder-health-boost-medical-spending/83625264/

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — States that spend more money on social services and public health programs relative to medical care have much healthier residents than states that don’t, a study out today by a prominent public health researcher found.

The study comes as the Obama administration prepares to fund its own research to support the idea that higher social service spending can improve health and lower health care costs. Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a long-awaited rule that will pave the way for more doctors and hospitals to work closely with social services providers to keep people healthier, such as with home visits or help with housing.

Health care and social services experts in West Virginia, where jobs and access to health care can be hard to come by, cite daily reminders of how improved services can save money later. Their challenge is expanding the reach of the programs they do have. "There's always more need than resources," says Audrey Morris. director of the non-profit Starting Points of Morgan County here.

The new study is the first to compare state spending on social services — which are generally less expensive than medical costs — to spending on Medicare and Medicaid and to residents' health. Many state officials, including those here, say Medicaid claims are busting their budgets and federal officials struggle to rein in Medicare spending on drugs and medical treatments, especially for chronic disease.



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