In JAMA Health Forum we found that despite a successful increase in Medicaid coverage, people experiencing homelessness have limited access to outpatient care and very high rates of short-term care use. Compared with 30 years ago, the population is older, sicker, and more likely to be unsheltered. While homelessness is solvable, it will be here for the foreseeable future and we need to adapt care to meet the high needs of the population, including capitalizing on the new possibilities from 1115 waivers. Threats from the Federal Government could have devastating impacts.
This paper was authored by co-first authors, Ryan Assaf, PhD, MPH and Jessica Fields, MS, with Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative staff Corbin Platamone, Jesica Giannola, BS, Margo Pottebaum, and Kim Nguyen.