Colorado could become the latest state to use Medicaid, government-funded health insurance, for non-medical expenses.
The Biden administration has recently begun approving waivers that allow Medicaid funds to be used for nutrition and housing assistance, and Colorado is part of a growing number of states seeking waivers.
Jake Williams, CEO of Healthier Colorado, says where you live and what you eat impact your health.
“Having health insurance is important, but staying healthy also depends on many other factors. Living outside the hospital, including having safe, affordable housing and access to healthy foods, is an important predictor of both positive and negative health outcomes,” Williams said.
The waiver will help provide additional funding to organizations like Project Angel Heart, whose nearly 300 volunteers prepare and deliver more than 770,000 meals each week for about 5,000 Coloradans with chronic health issues.
“Many of our clients are living with diagnoses of cancer, heart failure and COPD, and the nutrition they consume really plays a key role,” said Nick Soucie, government relations director for Project Angel Heart.
She said dietitians medically tailor each meal to the patient’s needs. All meals are prepared, packaged, and delivered free of charge, thanks to donations. The program not only saves patients money, but also the health care system. Studies have shown that giving people medically tailored diets reduces recurrent hospitalizations and saves millions of dollars.
New legislation proposed by State Senator Robert Rodriguez, State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer, State Representative Kyle Brown and State Representative Shannon Byrd could help more people have access to not only healthy food, but also housing. The legislation directs the Colorado Department of Health Policy and Financing to apply for waivers that would allow Medicaid to be used for nutrition assistance and housing assistance. The department will conduct a study to determine exactly what types of housing assistance Medicaid would cover.
“This not only helps unlock additional funding from the federal government, but it also leverages existing state funding to use as matching funds, essentially getting recognition for the work we’re already doing and expanding it and helping us scale it going forward,” Brown said.
About 20 states already have exemptions, and Colorado could join next year.
Soucy said this will allow Angel Heart Project to help even more Coloradans in need.
“This will allow people to stay at home and avoid going to the hospital, and it will also save taxpayers money,” Soucy said.
