Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3894, the CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2021, a bill led by Representatives Blunt Rochester and Bilirakis.

Research shows that socioeconomic conditions, such as job loss, lack of transportation, inadequate housing, among others, can contribute to poor health outcomes.

The Trump administration took a key step at the beginning of this year by releasing guidance to States on how to better utilize Medicaid to support social determinants of health. It provided real-world examples that States are taking to improve outcomes for beneficiaries.

For example, Medicaid managed care plans in my home State of Kentucky are leading the way by using care coordinators to connect vulnerable beneficiaries to social support services like food pantries and daycare services.

The CARING for Social Determinants Act would require HHS to update this guidance every 3 years in order to drive future innovation in State Medicaid programs.

I am proud of the important steps this bill takes to improve health outcomes for some of our most vulnerable populations.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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