Ways and Means Passes Young, Delaney Bipartisan Social Impact Partnership Bill

Press Release

Today the House Ways and Means Committee passed bipartisan legislation led by Congressmen Todd Young (R-IN) and John Delaney (D-MD) that expands the use of evidenced-based social and public health interventions, while driving taxpayer savings. It is the first reform bill of its kind that brings pay-for-performance into social and public health sphere. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) are the lead sponsors of similar companion legislation in Senate.

"Washington spends too much time debating how much or how little to spend on social safety net programs, and not enough time asking whether or not we're improving lives," said Congressman Young. "For all our best intentions, evidence shows current federal programs aren't doing much to improve income inequality. The American people feel the effects, and continuing to ignore the problem only fuels their resentment toward a system that's failing them. By changing the federal government's definition of success in federal social programs from inputs to actual outcomes, we can help our fellow Americans overcome the root causes of poverty and seize economic opportunities to work and provide for their families."

"Congressman Todd Young and I have been working together on this bipartisan bill for more than two years, and I was pleased to see it passed by the Ways and Means Committee today," said Congressman Delaney. "The Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act creates a framework where the government can partner with a service provider to produce better public service and better outcomes for taxpayers. Using Pay for Success, the government only has to pay if the program meets measurable goals. Our bill is designed to provide better services to those in need through new partnerships between socially-conscious investors and the public sector. This model can be used to decrease asthma hospitalizations, reduce recidivism, improve early childhood education, and many other worthwhile goals. I look forward to continued work with Congressman Young to pass this bill in the House and send it to the Senate."

Background on H.R. 5170:

The Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act empowers states, local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector to scale up evidence-based interventions that address the nation's most pressing challenges. It fosters the creation of public-private partnerships that harness philanthropic and other private-sector investments to expand and replicate scientifically-proven social and public health programs. Because social impact partnerships are focused on achieving results, government dollars are paid out only when desired outcomes are met.

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